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GOSPEL PUBLISHING HOUSE 

D. T. BASS, Manager 

54 West 22d Street, New York 



JBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two Ccc'ies Received 

FEB 18 1B09 

^ Copyrife-nt Entry ^ 
OUKS XXC, No, 



Copyright, 1908, by 
F. E. MARSH 



FRANCIS E. FITCH, 
Printer, 
47 Broad St., N. Y. 



INDEX OF TITLES. 

Page. 



A Beautiful Life i 

A Bed Quilt 2 

A Christian: What is He? 3 

A Holy Place, Life and Companionship 4 

Aiming for the Goal 4 

All and No Compromise 5 

All Things Become New 6 

Angel in the Marble 7 

Appearances the Poinsetta 8 

Assurance 9 

A Telling Argument 10 

Bankrupt 11 

Beauty and Fragrance 12 

Be What You Are 13 

Blessings in Disguise 14 

Blessings of the Atonement 15 

Borrowing Misery 16 

Bright and Burning 17 

Business of the Saint 18 

Busybodies and How to Cure Them 19 

"But God" 20 

Calvary 22 

Carefulness 22 

Castaway 23 

Casting Away the Hindrance 24 

Centralization 25 

Chain of Consequent Blessing... 26 

Childhood of Jesus 28 

Children of God 29 

Christ Crucified, the Theme of the Preacher 30 

Christ Pre-eminent 31 

Christ's Atonement 32 

Christ's Blood of Blessing 33 

Christ's Cross 34 

Christ's Example 35 

Christ's Example or In His Steps 35 

Christ's Mastership 37 

Christ's Purpose in Dying 38 

Christ's Substitutionary Death 39 

Christ's Verilys 41 

.Christ the Balm for Every 111 42 



i 



Page. 

Christ the Caretaker 43 

Christ the Chiefest 44 

Christ the Emancipator From Sin 45 

Christ the Fortress 46 

Christ the Keeper 48 

Christ the Lifter-up 49 

Christ the Precious One 50 

Christ the Rest Giver , 51 

Christ the Rise or Fall of All 52 

Christ the Sin Bearer 53 

Christ the Unchanging One 55 

Clouds 56 

Commendation's Ministry 56 

Concentration 57 

Conditions Fulfilled: Blessing Assured 59 

Conditions Fulfilled: Blessing Secured 60 

Confession of Sin 60 

Confidence Toward God... 61 

Conscience 63 

Consciousness of the Divine 64 

Contentment 65 

Continuance in Prayer 67 

Contraband 68 

Counting the Cost 69 

Crimson Lights 70 

Crucifixion with Christ 71 

Dead by the Death of Another 72 

Dead with Christ 72 

Death in the Pot 73 

Devices of the Devil 74 

Devil, Giving no Place to 75 

Difficulties 76 

Double Centre 77 

Effectiveness of the Holy Spirit 78 

Enter in 80 

Evidences of Christianity 81 

Failure and Success 82 

Faith and Works 83 

Faithfulness 84 

Faith Illustrated and Followed 85 

Faith, or Down to my Boots 86 

Faith's Simplicity 87 

Faith's Storehouse 88 

Faith's Towardness 89 

Faith's Walk 90 

Fasten Your Grips 92 

Fear Not, or the Attention of Grace 93 

Fellowship with Christ... , 94 

Findings of the Spiritual Life 95 

ii 



Page. 

Flies 96 

Forgetfulness 97 

Frankincense 98 

Freshness r 99 

Fruit 100 

Fruit Bearing 101 

Fulness of Blessing 102 

Gain of Godliness '. 103 

Given Up 104 

Gladness 105 

God-in-ness, the Secret of Godliness 107 

God not Hills 109 

God's Best 110 

God's Care 111 

Golgotha 113 

Good Out of Evil 114 

Good Work 115 

Greatness of the Lord 116 

Hard Places 117 

Heart Disease . 118 

Heart Keeping 119 

Hell's Defeat , 120 

Holding On _ 121 

Holy Carelessness 121 

How to be Happy 122 

Humility 123 

Ignorance 124 

Ignorance of the Unsaved 125 

Imitators 126 

Jesus Only s 127 

Joy-Filled 128 

Kept by Christ 128 

Kept for Christ 129 

Kept Momentarily 130 

Kindness 131 

Kisses of Love 132 

Leaving out the Not 133 

Let, Let, Let 134 

Life Hooks 135 

Life in Christ 136 

Life in Death 137 

Life Which is Worth Living 138 

Living After Death 139 

Living Name, but a Dead Life 139 

Located 140 

Look Beneath the Surface 141 

Love's Action and Attitude 142 

Love's Bands 143 

Love's Endurance 146 

iii 



Love's Example 

Love's Mantle 

Love's Recognition 

Love's Sacrifice 

Loving one Another 

Marks of Jesus 

Mastering Difficulties 

Medicine of Grace 

Memories of Calvary 

Mustard 

Nail Print Blessings 

Need Supplied 

Neverslip 

Obscuring the Light 

On and off the Rock 

Opportunity 

Our Unseen Leader 

Performing the Promises 

Pilgrimage , 

Power of God's Word 

Power of Prayer 

Power of the Holy Spirit 

Prayer 

Prayer's Comprehensiveness . . 

Prayers Hindered 

Prayer the Vent of Need 

Praying and Paddling 

Praying with a Reservation 

Prepared 

Preserved 

Preserved by Love , 

Presence of the Lord 

Presence and Prayer , 

Prevailingness of God's Word 

Profoundness of the Simple Gospel 
Prohibition Provokes Opposition . 

Proofs of Conversion , 

Prosperity of Adversity , 

Purchased by Blood 

Queer Places 

Redeeming the Time 

Remember 

Repentance 

Rewards 

Right in his own Eyes 

Rootage for Foliage 

Sacrifice 

Sacrifice 

Saint's Dependence 



Page. 

Salt 201 

Sanctification, which needs Sanctifying 202 

Satan a Devourer 203 

Secret of Endurance 204 

Seeing His Face 205 

Seeingness of the Spiritual 205 

Self- Abasement 207 

Self-Forgetfulness 208 

Self-Holiness 209 

Separation means Safety 210 

Shewing forth His Excellencies 211 

Shining 212 

Shining Saints 213 

Shut Up and Shut In 214 

Siding with God 217 

Sinner's Character 217 

Sleeping Sickness > 218 

Slippery Places 220 

Sowing and Reaping 220 

Sphere of the Saint 221 

Spirit's Diversified Operation 224 

Spirit's Interpretation 225 

Spiritual Radium 226 

Staying Power 227 

Steps in the Deeper Life 229 

Stooping to See 230 

Sufficiency of Christ's Atonement 230 

Talkative and Company 231 

Testing of Trial 232 

The Beautiful Christ 234 

The Best 235 

The Best Robe 236 

The Darkness 237 

The Fact of Facts 237 

The Gospel, a Sea of Crystal 238 

The Hands of Christ 239 

The Lifting Power 241 

The Power of the Gospel „. 242 

The Spread Table 244 

Threefold Nature of Man 245 

Thoroughness 246 

Traits of the Word 247 

Transferred 248 

Turned and Met 249 

Twinkler, Tinkler, Tatler 250 

Unamimous 251 

Unity 251 

Unmovable Things 252 

V. D 253 



v 



Page. 



Waiting and Watching for Christ's Return 254 

Wakefulness of Jehovah 255 

Want of Knowledge 257 

Watchfulness of the Lord 258 

Wind an Emblem of the Spirit 259 

Witness Bearing 261 

Word of God, a Light 263 

Word of God, Ground of Assurance 264 

Word of God, It's Power and Penetration 265 

Word of God, versus the Laws of Men 265 

Worldiiness 266 

Works or the Work 267 

Worries 268 



TEXTUAL INDEX 



The texts with an asterisk against them are the title texts, 
and the rest of the texts are found in the Bible Reading which 
follows the incident. 



Genesis 



2. 
2. 
3- 
3- 
3- 
3- 
3- 
3- 
4- 
4- 
4- 
5- 
6. 

7- 
9- 
9- 
9- 
9- 
II. 

12. 
12. 
12. 
13- 
13- 
13. 

13- 
13. 
17. 
18. 
19- 
19. 
22. 
22. 
22. 
24. 
27. 



Page. 

27 245 

7 245 

21 198 

1-6 76 

n-24 83 

15* 120 

17 268 

19 245 

24 187 

3 268 

6, 7 143 

15 64 

22 9 

12 218 

1 65 

13 14 

13 56 

15, 16 .... 245 

23 150 

31 no 

i-3 no 

10 192 

10-20 267 

10 142 

10-13 97 

10-14 in 

12 192 

14, 15 .... 109 

1* 64 

17 206 

10, 11 150 

17 267 

2, 9 198 

7, 8 208 

12 233 

67 198 

18-20 75 



Genesis 27. 

28. 
28. 
28. 
28. 
28. 
29. 
29. 

" 29. 
37- 
39- 

" 39. 
39- 

" 41. 
42. 

" A A 

44" 

45- 

45- 
3- 
3- 
4- 
4- 
8. 
8. 
12. 
12. 
12. 

13. 
14. 
14. 
14. 
IS- 
16. 
20. 

23. 
24. 
28. 



Exodus 



Pagb 

22* 68 

11, 12 15 

11-15 17 

12, 17 117 

15 184 

18, 19 .... 189 

13 133 

18-28 I98 

28 15 

24 "5 

7 74 

20 17 

20 122 

4i 117 

36 109 

16 63 

4- 15 ISO 

15 135 

1, 2 15 

1-4 189 

14-16 in 

27 133 

23 IS 

24* 96 

8, 11 167 

13 15 

8 244 

12, 21 167 

13-22 77 

20 53 

21-28 118 

11 45 

10 56 

3 65 

15 65 

5- io 15 

7* 176 



vii 



Exodus 32. 

33- 

" 34- 
Leviticus 1. 
" 2. 

" IS- 
14. 

" 14. 
16. 

" 17. 
* 17. 
" 21. 

23. 

24. 

Numbers 11. 
" 11. 
13. 
13. 
15- 
16. 
16. 
16. 
18. 
20. 
21. 
21. 
22. 

Deuteronomy 



Joshua 



Page 

26* 217 

14, 15 184 

20 65 

1-9 247 

13 201 

4-54 215 

I- 18 78 

14 15 

12 103 

11* 32 

11 246 

17-21 62 

4- 21 78 

3. 4 •••• 100 

8 99 

II- 17 in 

23 244 

33 109 

39 190 

1 25 

1 267 

22 245 

29* 235 

11 75 

4, 5 ... . 269 

9 173 

32 65 

5- 15 ... 193 
8. 2* ... 193 
8. 3 ... 244 
8. 14-18 . 193 

11. 2-7 .. 193 

11. 12 ... 259 

12. 8 196 

15. 5* ... 22 
27. 8 ... 254 
30. 14 ... 254 
32. 7-12 . 193 
32. 10 ... 44 

32. 15 ... 96 

33. 3 ••• 145 

33. 23* ... 102 

34. 9 ... 102 
7, 8* 246 

13. 14 217 

1 215 

6-10 174 

10 178 

20, 21 158 

20-25 187 

24 64 



Joshua 14. 14 



it 


23. 


14 • 


T A 

J uages 

u 


I. 




4- 


1 0-2 1 


„ 


5- 




u 


u. 




(t 


6. 


16* 


a 


6. 


36-40 




7- 


17 .. 


a 


14. 


5 • 


it 


14. 


14* • 




17. 


6 




21. 


25 •• 



Ruth 1. 12 

1. 21 

" 3- i-5 
1 Samuel 2. 8 



7- 
15. 
IS- 

15. 



9, 10 

3* 
11 
20 

15. 22, 23 
15. 22, 23 
17- 43-50 
17- 43-50 

20. 41 

21. 9 . 
21. 10 



23. 17 
27. 1^ 
27. 1 



2 Samuel 



11. 
12. 
12. 



4 •■ 

7 • • 
9-11 



19. 30 
19- 39 



21 
22 

22. 37 



15-17 
2* 



1 Kings 8. 20 . . 

8. 33, 34 
" 11. 
" 13. 



1-6 
9- • 
13. 14-22 
13- 19 
15. 30 
17. 1 
17. 4-6 
17. 9-16 



Vlll 



Page. 

i Kings 1 8 74 

" ia 17 

" 18. 17. 18 ... 

" 18. 36'. 

44 

44 

2 

4 



" 18 

" 18, 

" 19 

" 19 
19 

- 19 

" 21 

" 21, 

" 21 

" 21 

2 Kings 2 

" 4- 

* 4 

" 4 

" 5 

(( _ 



. . 142 

,. 64 

, . 206 

,. 18 

.. 56 

,. 70 
74 

, . 192 

. 118 

. 192 

• 17 

. 142 

. 158 

, . 201 

4* 214 

33, 35 173 



20 
20 
20 

20, 21 



40- ... 
2, 3 
6-14 . 



5 

6. 
6 
8 

1 Chron. 11. 
" 11. 
11. 
17. 
18 
29. 
6. 

" 13. 
14. 

" 16. 
" 18. 
" 18. 
" 30. 
Nehemiah 3 
4 



2 Chron. 



15-1/ •• 

17 

8-15 
17-19 
18 ... 
18 ... 
9 ... 
1, 31 
11* .. 

10 

5 

7 .... 
9* 

1 

1 

6. 9 • 



4 

9 

9 

21, 23* . 
16* ..... 

9 

1* 

10 

10 

2, 3* •• 
12, 13 .. 
Esther 9. 24, 25 



73 
208 

173 



20-27 209 



109 
206 
209 
198 
199 
208 

253 
267 
116 
166 
201 

52 
258 

69 

97 
249 

20 
184 
176 
250 
154 
154 
184 
154 

27 
101 
207 
193 
115 



Job 5. 
6. 
7. 
8. 
19. 

23- 

24. 16^ 

29, 20^ 

30. 26 

31- 

32. 
32. 
33. 
40. 
40. 
42. 

Psalms 



IX 









XT Al»H 


Psalms 


26. 








27. 


6 


.. 50 




30. 




• • 49 




31. 


3 


• • 47 




32. 


5 


.. 150 




32. 


8 


.. 259 




32. 


11* 


.. 105 




34- 


5 


no 




34- 


15 


• • 259 




37- 


7 






37- 


11 


. . 206 




37- 


23 


. . 112 




37- 


23 






37- 


3i 






40. 


3 


7 




40. 


I/* 






40. 


17 






43- 


4 


.. 27 




55- 


17 


.. 164 




55- 




.. 265 




56. 


8 


.. 94 




56. 


8 






56. 








57- 




. . 166 




60. 


3* 


.. 117 




61. 


3 






62. 


6 


.. 253 




63. 


8 


. . 246 




65. 


4 


123 




65. 


9 


. , 102 




66. 


18 


• • 174 




66. 








68. 


34 


56 




69. 


23 


. . 161 




7i- 


3 


47 




73- 


18* 






78. 


9 


.. 178 




78. 


9 


• • 233 




78. 


18 


.. 178 




78. 


50, 62 . . . 


.. 105 




80. 


3, 7. 19 • 


• • 249 




81. 


12* 


. . 104 


H 


82. 


5 


. . 125 




84. 


5 


. . 122 


(t 


06 
00. 








89. 


29, 36 ... 


.. 147 


n 


90. 






a 


90. 


17 


. . 102 




91. 


2 


.. 47 


tc 


92. 


5 


•• 254 









Page 


Psalms 


92. 




... 99 




93- 


5* 


... 265 




93- 


5 


• • • 254 




94- 


18 


. . . 161 




95- 


3* 


. . . 237 




99. 


7 


... 56 




101. 


5 


. .. 119 




IO3. 


1, 2 , 


. . . 129 




103. 


3 - •-. 


20 




IO3. 


7 


. . . 206 




103. 


13* 


... 142 




104. 


15 


. .. 244 




IO4. 


16 






IO4. 


28 






105. 


17-22 


... 189 




105. 


19 


. . . 265 




105. 


39 


... 56 




112. 


6 


• • • 253 




Il8. 


7 


. . , 182 




lip. 




... 167 




119. 


25. 165 • 


. . . 248 




119. 


29, 30 ... 


• •• 59 




119. 


50, 105 . 


... 265 




119. 


67 ...... 


... 89 




119. 


105* 


... 263 




119. 


106 


166 




119. 


114* 


88 




119. 


138 


. . . 254 




119. 


140 


. . . 254 




119. 


140 


. . . 266 




119. 


162* 


... 95 




121. 




... 48 




121. 




. . • 130 




121. 


1*".. 


. .. 109 




121. 


3 


• • • 253 




121. 


3, 4* 


... 255 




121. 


4-8 .... 


... 44 




123. 


1* 


... 109 




125. 


1 


. . . 161 




139. 


24 


. . . 172 




144. 


2 


... 47 




144. 


15* 






I46. 


7* 


... 45 




147. 


15 


. . . 254 


Proverbs 


3. 6 .... 


. . . 104 


u 




3- 7 


. . . 196 


tt 




3. 20 


... 56 


u 




4- 13* ••■ 


... 92 


a 




4. 14* ... 


210 


tt 




4. 23* ... 


... 119 



Proverbs 


4- 


23 


«< 


5- 


3 




10. 


4 


it 


12. 


3 


<« 


12. 


15* 


« 


14. 


23* 




15. 


3 


17- 


17 




17. 


22* 




22. 


12 


« 


24. 


26 


<< 


25- 


26 




2& 


9 


ti 


30. 


12 



Song of Sol. 1. 

1. 
1. 
2. 
2. 
2. 
5- 
5- 
5- 
5- 



2* 

5 

5 

3* 
10 
16 
10* 
10* 

13* 
14* 



5- 16 
8. 5 



8, 



Eccles. 


| 


3 






7 






7 


Isaiah 




3* 






5* 


« 




13* 






13, 






19* 


<« 




19* 






19 


<« 


5- 


21 




6. 


5 




6. 


5 


« 


7- 


15 


<< 


9- 


7 




9- 


9 




12. 


2 




12. 


2 




26. 


3 




26. 


20 




27. 


3* 



Page. 

20 

. 265 

• 50 

• 253 
. 196 
. 231 

• 259 

• 44 
. 156 

• 259 

■ 133 
. 161 

■ 174 
. 196 
. 132 

61 

. 207 
101 

. 151 

• 50 
44 

■ 234 

12 

. 239 

. 242 

• 5i 
. 154 
. 145 
. 255 
. 218 
. 213 

• 245 

• 257 
. 217 
. 202 
. 140 

• 59 
. 60 
. 206 
. 197 
. 61 
. 207 
. 244 
. 166 
. 118 
. 92 
. 122 
. 104 
. 80 
. 130 



Isaiah 27 

" 27 

" 30 

" 33 

- 38 

" 38 

" 39 

" 40. 

" 4i 

" 4i 

" 4i 

" 4i 

" 41 

" 42 

" 42 

" 42 

" 43 

" 43 

" 43 

" 44 

" 45 

" 49 

" 49 

" 49 

" 50 

" 50 

" 51 

" 53 

" 53 

" 53 

" 53 

" 57 

" 58 

" 59 

" 59 

" 59 

" 59 

" 64 

" 64, 

" 65 

" 66 

" 66, 
Jeremiah 



3 

3 

10* . 
17 
5 

21 . . 
1-6 

22 . . 
1 . . 

10 . . 
10 . . 
13 • • 
15 •- 
1 . . 

4 •• 
6 .. 

1 . . 
4 

10* . 

1, 22 
22 

2 .... 

15 

16 

4 .... 

10 

16 .... 

3 ... 

5 ..• 
10, 11 
12 .... 

2 

8 .... 

6 .... 
8 .... 
9* ... 

12 

4 .... 
8 .... 

24 .... 
8 .... 

18 .... 
1. 7, 8 
1. 12 
3. 20-22 
5- 23 

8. 22* 

9- 3 

9. 26 
15. 16 



xl 



Page 

Jeremiah 16. 19 47 

17. 9 118 

17. 9 218 

23. 29 168 

23. 29 .. . 265 

Si- 3 55 

3i- 3 145 

3i- 18 143 

33- 14* 165 

49. 16* 118 

Lament. 3. 24 86 

3- 40* 249 

Ezekiel 8. 6 250 

11. 19 119 

" 12. 25 166 

34- 30 182 

" 41. 7* 229 

" 44. 16* 80 

47- 9-ii 5 

Daniel 3. 1-25 217 

" 3. 16* 121 

3- 21 115 

" 3. 21 122 

3-25 15 

3- 25 204 

4. 30-36 210 



5. 22, 23 

6. 16 ... 
Hosea II. 4 . 

" 11. 4* . 

13- 9 .., 
14. 9 . 
Amos 3. 10 . . . 

" 9- 9 ... 
Jonah 1. 6 . . . 

1. 17 ... 
Micah 3. 8 . . 

4- 

7- 

7- 

Nahum 1. 



12 . 
19* 
20 . 
3* 



1. 7 
Haggai 1. 9 .. 
Zechariah 10. 5^ 
13. 6 
Malachi 2. 4-6 
3. 2 .. 
3- 3* • 
3. 3 
3- 6 .. 



64 
122 
129 
143 
143 

53 
125 
7 

219 
192 
102 
125 
249 
166 
56 
92 
no 
181 
151 
206 
213 
7 
53 
55 



Malachi 3. 

3- 
3- 
4- 

Matthew 1. 

3- 
3- 
3- 
3- 

?; 

" 3: 
4- 
4- 

= i 

5- 
5- 
5- 

5- 

5. 

5- 
5- 
5- 
6. 
6. 
6. 
6. 
6. 
6. 
6. 
6. 
6. 
6. 
7- 
7- 
7- 
7- 
7. 
7- 
7- 
7- 



Page. 

16 94 

16 112 

16 160 

1-6 53 

23 226 

8 84 

13-17 78 

15 36 

15 227 

16 36 

16 74 

16 169 

1 36 

1 74 

n 77 

11 118 

20 19 

8 12 

8 157 

8 205 

8 206 

13* 201 

15 162 

16* 212 

16* 213 

18* 41 

44-48 126 

2, 5, l6 42 

6 80 

6 216 

25* 268 

30, 33 160 

31 269 

33 8 

33 26 

33 104 

34 66 

3 162 

4 18 

5 20 

6 211 

7 95 

16 81 

21 177 

26 140 

3 240 

8, 13 88 

10 42 

10 87 

10 235 



xii 



Matthew 9. 

"- I 
" I 

10. 
10. 
10. 
10. 
10. 

II. 
II. 
II. 
II. 
II. 
II. 
II. 
II. 
II. 
II. 
II. 
II. 

12. 
12. 
12. 
13. 

' 13. 

13. 
13. 
14. 
14. 
14. 
14. 

" 14. 

14. 
15. 

IS- 
15. 
15. 
15. 
IS- 

is. 

IS- 

16. 
16. 
16. 
16. 
16. 
16. 
17. 



Page 

2, 6 225 

12 86 

22 247 

28, 29 88 

36 144 

15, 23, 42 . . 42 

25 66 

30 94 

30 160 

39 06 

11 42 

28* 51 

28 43 

28 90 

28, 29 78 

29 1 

29 52 

29 60 

29 96 

29 124 

29 138 

29 154 

13 88 

28 138 

50 140 

4 203 

15* 188 

17 ....... 42 

25 219 

3-io 70 

14 144 

27 ........ 256 

30 171 

30 269 

30, 31 240 

14 162 

19 119 

25* 171 

26-28 ..... 88 

28 87 

28 224 

28 233 

32 144 

9 233 

16, 17 235 

22 142 

24 19 

25, 26 245 

28 42 

2 212 



Matthew 17. 


2 . . '. 




17. 


5 


" 


17- 


5 




17. 


8* 


a 


17- 






18. 


3* 


" 


18. 


3, 13, 18 .. 




18. 


19 


« 


19. 


23, 28 




19. 


28 


« 


20. 


28 


n 


21. 


21, 31 


a 


21. 


30 


a 


22. 


4 


" 


23- 


8* 


<< 


23- 


14 


<< 


23. 


36 


« 


23. 


37 




24. 


2, 34, 47 • 


tt 


25. 


5 


« 


2=;. 


12, 40, 45 . . 




25- 


20-23 


« 


25- 


21 




25- 


21, 23 


u 


25. 


21-23 


a 


25. 


36 


« 


26. 


13, 21, 34 . 


it 


26. 


25, 49 


u 


26. 


28* 




26. 


35, 69-75 • 




26. 


40, 43, 45 • 


a 


27. 


3-5 


a 


27. 


24 


tt 


28. 


10 


a 


28. 


20 



Mark 1. 15 

1. 31 
" 1. 41 
" 1. 45 

2. 7 
3- 5 



3- 21 ... 
4. 19 ••• 

4. 21 

4- 38 ... 

4- 39 ... 

5- 15 ... 
5- 19 ... 

5. 27, 28 
5- 29-34 



Pagb 

213 
127 
56 
127 
42 
188 
42 
251 
42 
217 
40 
42 
140 
179 
37 
203 
42 
143 
42 
219 
42 
221 
24 
85 
195 
100 
42 
37 
39 
75 
219 
64 
234 
184 
198 
194 
49 
144 
11 
20 
92 
142 
269 
162 

17 

248 
12 
144 

173 
90 



xiii 



Page. 

Mark 5. 43 247 

6. 6 92 

" 6. 12 192 

" 8. 23 240 

9- 3, 4 169 

9- 23 91 

9- 27 50 

" 9. 50 201 

10. 16 241 

" 10. 50* 24 

10. 52 262 

" 11. 22 87 

" 11. 25 178 

" 12. 24 126 

" 13- 37 255 

" 14- 33-37 74 

" 15. 22, 34 226 

" 15- 32 26 

" 16. 14 119 

Luke 1. 17* 178 

1. 35 260 

1. 40 230 

1. 52 124 

1. 55 260 

1. 68-72 166 

2. 4 230 

2. 32 213 

2. 34* 52 

2. 43* 28 

3'. 14 104 

3- 20 215 

4- 13, 14 36 

" 4- 18 43 

4- 29 36 

" 4- 32-36 168 

5- 1 266 

5- 5 37 

5- 7 251 

5- 8 61 

5- 8 207 

" 5- 8 230 

" 5- 37 146 

7- 13 144 

" 7- 13 256 

" 7- 15 11 

7- 37 11 

7- 37-50 12 

7- 39 36 

7. 42 20 

7- 47 12 



Page 

Luke 7. 48 225 

7- 48 247 

8. 2 12 

" 8. 3 236 

" 8. 14 25 

8. 15 27 

8. 15 228 

8. 22-25 256 

8. 24 37 

8. 29 248 

8. 35 20 

" 8. 38 95 

" 8. 39* 211 

" 9. 23* 208 

9- 23 3 

9- 23 23 

9- 31 227 

9- 31-33 in 

9- 32 95 

9- 32 219 

9- 33 37 

9- 46-56 75 

9. 50 217 

" 10. 20 106 

" 10. 25 38 

" 10. 34 100 

" 10. 34 150 

" 10. 38, 40 235 

10. 39* 230 

" 10. 39-42 in 

" 10. 41 269 

10. 42 134 

" 11. 22 120 

" 12. 7* 93 

" 12. 7 112 

" 12. 37 194 

" 13. 3, 5 194 

" 13. 13 11 

" 13- 13 241 

" 14- 9 19 

14. 13 100 

" 14. 26, 27, 53 .... 247 

" 14. 28* .69 

" 14. 34 201 

" 15. 2 182 

" 15- 7, 10 194 

" 15- 20 133 

" 15. 21 61 

" 15. 22* 236 

" 15. 23 244 



xiv 



Page 

Luke 15. 24 145 

15- 30 203 

" 15. 32 100 

16. 10 85 

" 16. 15 21 

" 17. 14 88 

" 18. 1* 175 

" 18. 13 12 

" 18. 13 171 

" 19. 2-10 12 

" 19. 5 J92 

" 19. 5-9 88 

" 19. 6 230 

" 19. 8 189 

" 19. 9 43 

" 19. 16 37 

" 19. 16, 17 221 

" 19. 17 85 

" 19. 17 195 

" 19. 42* 124 

" IP- 48* 253 

" 20. 18 53 

" 22. 14 95 

" 22. 31, 32 143 

" 22. 33 69 

" 22. 33 220 

" 22. 41-43 169 

" 22. 43 36 

H 22. 43 237 

" 22. 46 219 

" 22. 49 18 

" 22. 56-62 192 

" 22. 54-62 267 

" 22. 63 146 

" 23. 33* 22 

" 23. 33* w... 157 

" 23. 34 238 

" 23. 42 172 

" 23. 42, 43 88 

" 23. 43 145 

" 24, 15, 34 256 

" 24. 16 125 

" 24. 16 126 

" 24. 26 36 

" 24. 26 115 

" 24. 26 189 

" 24. 26 237 

u 24. 29* 182 

" 24. 29, 32 180 

" 24. 34 238 



Luke 24. 

" 24. 
" 24. 
" 24. 
" 24. 
John 1. 



xv 



John 7. 

" 7- 

" 8. 

" 8. 

" 8. 

" 8. 

" 8. 

" 8. 
9- 

" 10. 

" 10. 

" 10. 

" 10. 

" 10. 

" 10. 

" 10. 

" 10. 

" 10. 

" 10. 

" 10. 

" 10. 

" 10. 

" 10. 

" 11. 

" 11. 

" 11. 

" 11. 

" 12. 

" 12. 

" 12. 

" 12. 

" 12. 

" 12. 

" 12. 

" 12. 

" 13. 

" 13. 

" 13. 

" 13. 

" 13. 

" 13. 

" 13. 

" 13. 

" 13. 

" 13. 

" 13- 

" 13. 

" 13. 

" 14. 

" 14. 



46 

56 

12 

3i 

3i 

3i 

31 

32 

25 

3 

4 

9* 

9 

9-29 

10 

15 

27 

27 

27 

28 

28 

28 

39-42 .... 

5, 36 ... 
35, 43. 44 

40 

43 

3 

24 

24, 25 ... 

24-26 

24-26 

25 

26* 

26 

1 

1 

1 

13, 14 ... 



15, 34* 
23 .... 
27 .... 

34 

34* ... 

35 

35 .... 

2, 3 

6 



Jr AGE. 






236 


John 


14. 


205 




14. 


134 




14. 


82 




14. 


140 


u 


14. 


156 




14. 


177 




14. 


-/TO 

100 


(( 


14. 


10 




14. 


94 


it 


14. 


127 


a 


14. 


o_ 

00 


<« 


14. 


90 


« 


T 5" 


137 




15. 


43 


tt 


15. 


230 




15- 


50 




15. 


90 




15- 


154 




15. 


181 




15. 


222 




15- 


241 




15- 


36 




15. 


145 


k 


15- 


118 




15. 


26 




15. 


240 


(( 


15. 


235 




15. 


39 




15. 


231 




15. 


36 




15. 


138 




15. 


. 25 




15. 


. 35 




15- 


• 19 




15. 


. 145 




10. 


181 


(( 


10. 


. 234 


u 


10. 


■ 38 


a 


l6. 


120 


<< 


10. 


. 149 




16 


. 35 


(t 


17. 


• 139 


a 


17. 


. 140 


(i 


17. 


7 


n 


17. 


152 




17. 


. 153 




17. 


251 


a 


17. 


179 




17. 


127 


n 


17. 



Page 

6 222 

8 66 

8* 230 

13 178 

15 81 

16 1 

16* 2 

21 3 

21 60 

21 177 

27 102 

27 242 

2 8 

2 233 

4 3 

4, 5 46 

4, 5 177 

5 81 

5 136 

5* 200 

5 217 

5-27 14 

7 60 

9 163 

9 180 

10, 11 123 

11 27 

11 103 

11 129 

11 242 

12, 17 153 

14* 13 

18 36 

21 126 

26 170 

10-22 205 

13 2 

24 103 

26 1 

33 36 

33 165 

3 222 

4 • 1 

4 234 

17 10 

17 89 

17 102 

17 129 

17 145 

17 168 



XVI 



John 17. 

" 17. 

" 17. 

« 17. 

19. 

" 19. 

" 19. 

" 19. 

- 19. 

" 19- 

" 20. 

" 20. 

" 20. 

" 20. 

" 20. 

" 20. 

" 20. 

" 20. 

" 20. 

u 20. 

" 20. 

" 21. 

" 21. 

" 21. 

Acts 1. 

" 1. 

" 1. 

" 1. 

" 1. 

" 1. 

" 1. 

" 1. 

" 1. 

" 1. 

" 2. 

" 2. 

" 2. 

" 2. 

" 2. 

" 2. 

" 2. 

" 2. 

" 3- 

" 3. 
3- 

" 3. 

" 3- 

" 3. 

" 4- 

" 4. 



17 ... 

18 ... 

19 ... 
24 .. 
11* .. 
13-17 
17* .. 
18 ... 
26 ... 
30 .. 

1 ... 
11, 12 
19-22 
19-26 

20 . . . 



20 . . . 
20, 21 
21 

22 . . . 

■* 



25" 
29 
6 

15-19 248 

22" 



PaGB 

. 180 

• 35 
. 200 
. 163 
. 14 

• 36 

• 113 
. 122 
. 236 
. 268 
. 229 
. 230 
. 78 
. 216 
. 102 
. 107 
. 186 
. 201 
. 261 
. 159 
. 26 

96 



4 ... 

5 ... 
8 ... 
8 ... 

8* 

8 ... 
14 ... 
14 ... 
14 ... 

14 ... 

1 ... 

2 ... 
2 ... 

22 . . 
33* 
36, 37 
38 ... 
46 ... 

4-6 . 

7,8 . 
13-19 

15 ... 
17 ... 
18, 19 

4 ... 
12 



18 
59 
260 

3 
136 
170 

262 
27 

67 
176 
251 
176 
227 
261 
234 

77 

31 
194 

67 
no 

185 
31 
86 
125 
194 
263 
127 



Acts 



Pag* 

4- 13 95 

4- 3i 27 

4- 3i 89 

4 31 169 

4- 3i 170 

4. 32 251 

4- 33 116 

4- 36 226 

5. 1-10 209 

5- 4 106 

5- 29-31 31 

5- 33 265 

5- 36 158 

5- 41 27 

6. 1 100 

6. 5 87 

6. 5 139 

6. 8 102 

6. 8, 10 2 

7- 9 21 

7- 42 105 

7- 56 171 

7- 56 205 

7- 56 256 

7- 60 70 

8. 5-8 185 

8. 14 263 

8. 18-22 142 

8. 33 124 

8. 35 263 

8. 39 106 

8. 39 185 

8. 39 262 

9- 4 106 

9- 5 225 

9. 18 12 

9- 36-42 139 

9- 39 100 

10. 31 27 

10. 38 234 

10. 39-44 31 

11. 18 194 

n. 21 182 

11. 23 107 

n. 24 2 

11. 24 87 

12. 2, 4 122 

12. 3, 4 77 

12. 5 27 

12. 5 176 



xvii 









Page. 


Acts 12. 




169 




13. 




on 


u 


13. 


TO A A_ yl .Q 


tRc 


" 


13. 


18 




a 


13. 








13. 


CO 


11 




14* 




tRo 


tt 


15. 




tRo 


tt 


15. 




toR 


tt 


15. 






n 


16. 


T A 


t8c 


" 


16. 








16. 




Re 




16. 


01 


7n 


" 


16. 


o-» 






16. 


25 


27 




16. 




00 




16. 




o/SR 




16. 


•t O 


o/^O 


" 


17. 




I42 




17. 






it 


17. 








18. 


T T 


or* - ? 


'* 


18. 




TOP* 




19. 


T Q_ or* 


18c 




19. 




tCK? 




19. 


jf\ on 


ofi* 




19. 


ors* 


lR* 




19. 


on 


Rn 


u 


19. 


00 


266 




20. 


tn 


1 24 




20. 




Rn 




20. 


21 




if 


20. 


oR 


0 T 




20. 




T/\ 


it 


20. 








20. 








20. 






tt 


21. 




■0*7 




24. 






it 


26. 






u 


26. 


tR 






26. 






u 


26. 




tR 


tt 


26. 


2<i. 2< 


142 


if 


28. 


8 


... 27 


Romans 


1. 8 


... 57 




a 


1. 16* 


186 




tt 


1. 16* 






it 


1. 16* .. , 


... 238 



xviii 









Page 


Koinsns 


I. 








I. 




. . 242 




I. 


24^ 26, 28 


. . 105 


» 


2. 




T<"M 


u 


2. 


c 




a 


2. 


7* 


00*7 


a 


1 
O- 


T O* 




tt 


3- 




otR 


(( 


3- 






a 




OA 


or\ 


a 


1 




»7R 


a 




OC 


00 


it 


3- 


or? 




u 


4- 


C* 




tt 


4- 




R«7 


tt 


A 

4* 


2C 


200 


tt 


5« 


0 


T or* 


tt 




1 


0*7 


tt 


5- 




00R 


u 


c 

5« 




T J H 


tt 


5- 


Q 




u 


5- 






a 


5- 


9, II. 12, 


t/-» R<* 

19 6 3 


a 


5- 






a 


5- 






(< 


5- 






tt 


5- 






(i 


0. 






it 


0. 


O *T 


•70 


a 


D. 


3 


■ • 257 


tt 


6. 






tt 


0, 


4 




tt 


0. 


f. 




tt 


VJ. 


n 




tt 


u. 


T T T 


*To 


tt 


0. 


O 




(t 


0. 






tt 


0. 






(( 


0. 






(( 


0. 






it 


0. 






tt 


0. 






it 


/C 
0. 






tt 


0. 






tt 


O. 


T A 


o?R 


a 


6. 


16 


• • 257 


tt 


6. 


17 


8 


tt 


6. 


17 


... 40 


It 


6. 


17 


.. 189 




6. 


22* , , 





Romans 6. 

6. 

6. 
7- 

" 7- 
" 7- 
" 7- 
" 7- 
" 7- 
" 7- 
" 7. 
" 7- 

8. 

& 

8. 

& 

8. 

8. 

8. 

a 

8. 
8. 
& 
8. 
8. 

a 
a 
a 
a 
a 

" 9- 
" 9- 
" 10. 
" 10. 

" ia 

" 10. 

" ii. 
« ii. 

" 12. 

" 12. 

" 12. 

" 12. 

" 12. 

" 12. 

" 12. 

" 12. 

" 12. 

" 13. 
" 13. 



Page 

22 145 

23 24 

23 222 

4* 72 

4 73 

6 26 

9* 187 

14 61 

14 207 

15-21 188 

18 166 

18 262 

1 5i 

1, 2 138 

2 21 

2 170 

2 222 

6* 206 

7 83 

7 218 

9 180 

14 167 

16, 17 30 

17, 18 36 

26 174 

26 201 

28 109 

28 112 

32 44 

34 33 

16 261 

21 86 

3 125 

4 145 

11 134 

17 26 

32 215 

33 45 

1 199 

1 201 

1 202 

1 247 

2 220 

5, 10, 16... 251 

10 132 

10, 15 23 

11 192 

8 153 

8 252 



Pags 

Romans 13. 11 .'. 164 

" 13. 11 219 

" 13. 14 220 

13- 14 236 

14. 15 33 

14. 15 152 

14- 17 27 

14- 17 138 

14. 19 252 

" 15. 2 13 

15- 5 27 

15- 7.'i4 252 

" 15- 13 27 

15. 13 78 

15- 13 90 

" 15. 16 138 

15- 29 243 

15- 30 26 

I Corinthians 1. 2* 221 

1. 2 167 

1. 7 57 

1. 8 145 

1. 9* .... 94 

1. 9 223 

i. 13 71 

1. 18 35 

1. 18 114 

1. 23* 30 

1. 23* 71 

1. 24 59 

1. 24 86 

1. 30 43 

1. 30 78 

1. 30 122 

1. 30 236 

2. 2 71 

2. 9 179 

2. 9-14 . . 201 

2. 10 21 

2. 10 59 

2. 11 245 

2. 11 260 

3- 1 18 

3- 6 21 

3- 11 127 

3. 12-15 .. 221 

3. 15 24 

3. 16 .... 257 

4- 2 85 



xix 



I Corinthians 4. 

4- 
5- 
5. 
5- 
5- 
5- 
6. 
6. 
6. 
6. 
6. 
6. 
6. 
7- 
7- 
9- 
9- 
9. 
9- 
9- 

10. 

10. 

10. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

" 12. 
12. 
12. 
12. 
12. 
12. 
12. 
13. 
14. 
15. 
15. 
15. 
IS- 
15. 

" . I 5- 
II Corinthians 1. 

" 1. 
2. 
2. 
2. 
3- 
3- 



Page. 

9-13 .. 36 

15 243 

5 150 

6 257 

7 15 

7 202 

7 2 44 

2, 3 257 

11 188 

15, 19 ■ 259 

19, 20.. 41 
20 .... . 22 

20 129 

20 191 

15 223 

23* 190 

22 26 

24 5 

25 193 

27 3 

27* 23 

13 165 

16 33 

16 70 

31 203 

2* .... 56 

6* .... 78 

6* 224 

8-10* . 225 

11 179 

12 163 

12, 13.. . 2 

24 21 

31* no 

7* 146 

33 226 

1 22 

2 121 

3 54 

3 •••• 152 

22* 82 

58 100 

20 55 

24 224 

7, 8. . . . 150 

11* 74 

11 76 

2* .... 81 

2 136 



Page 



II Corinthians^. 

3- 
3- 
4- 
4- 
4- 
4- 
4- 
4- 
4- 
5- 
5. 
5- 



18 


. ^0 
60 


18 


248 


4 .... 


213 


4 


218 


4 


243 


17 


128 




100 


17, 18. . . 


26 


18 


8 


7 


26 




90 


9, 14- • • 


157 


10 


245 


14 


1 


14 


4i 


14 


7o 


14 


129 


14 


146 


14* 


151 


14, 15-. 


34 


14, IS--- 


159 


14, I5-- • 


231 


14-16 .. 


33 


14-16 . . 


186 


14-17 


239 


15* .... 


38 


15 


16 


17* 


6 


17 


141 


20 


136 


21 


129 


21 


163 


1 


154 


2* 


163 


9 


36 


10* 


189 


14, 17... 


210 


15 


85 


17 


26 


17 


147 


17 


IO7 


17 


202 


17 .... 


247 


17* 


266 


17, 18... 


6O 




6 




20 




83 



XX 



rinthiansS. 


y 


if 


8. 


II . . 


ft 


8. 


OA 


tt 


9- 


8 


t 


Q. 


8 


It 


Q. 


Q 

o . . 


tt 


Q. 


8 

o • • 


tt 


10. 


f, 

u . . 


it 


10. 


10 


tt 


II. 


•5 

O • • 


ft 


II. 


20 . . 


tt 


II. 


11 


It 


12. 


2 


ft 


12. 


O-A 


tt 


12. 


7 


tt 


12. 


»7 

/ • • 


tt 


12. 


7 . 


« 


12. 


<7 

/ • • 


tt 


12. 




12. 


7-Q 


« 


12. 


8 


tt 


12. 


8 o 


tt 


12. 


o, y 


tt 


12. 


9 • • 


tt 


12. 


9 • • 


a 


12. 


Q 


ft 


12. 






12. 


9 


tt 


12. 


9 


tt 


12. 




tt 


12. 


Q 


ft 


12. 


y • • 


if 


12. 


9 


tt 


15- 


7, 14 


ans 


i. 4 

1. 4 

2. 8 






2. 20 






2. 20 






2. 20* .... 




2. 20 






2. 20 






2. 20 






2. 20 






2. 20 






2. 20 






2. 20 






2. 20 






2. 20 





Page 

234 
166 

211 

45 
116 

145 

223 
227 
18 
76 
203 

17 
17 

206 

14 

74 
76 
"5 
143 
233 
36 
86 
189 
36 
66 

77 
101 
129 
180 
204 
223 
237 
239 
252 

54 
159 
79 
3 
21 

31 
34 
36 
70 
7i 
72 
73 
144 
157 
159 



Galatians 2. 

2. 
3- 
3- 
3- 
3- 
5- 
5. 
5- 
5- 
5- 
5- 
5- 
5- 
5- 
5- 
5. 
5- 
5- 

:: I: 
« I 

6. 
6. 
6. 
6. 
6. 
6. 
6. 
6. 
6. 

Ephesians 1. 
" 1. 
1. 
1. 
1. 

" 1. 
1. 
1. 
1. 
1. 
1. 

" i, 
1. 
2. 
2. 
2. 
2. 



Page 

20 ..: 199 

20 224 

13 i57 

14 83 

22 83 

22, 23 215 

1 83 

6 87 

7 87 

13 26 

13 223 

15 203 

16 141 

22 2 

22 27 

22 84 

22 132 

22-25 262 

24 7i 

24 72 

24 73 

25 250 

2 251 

5, 7* 220 

9 156 

10 23 

14 35 

14 71 

14 72 

14 157 

17 106 

17* 153 

1* 140 

3 145 

7 16 

7 20 

7 22 

13 78 

13 129 

13 243 

13, 14 ... . 244 

13, 17, 19. 260 

15 224 

17, 18 ... . 59 

19, 20 79 

1 246 

2, 12, 13. 83 

4 116 

4, 5 21 



xxi 



Galatians 1 



Page 

6 163 

7 46 

7 132 

7 145 

3 24 

8 223 

10 82 

13 158 

16 34 

16 114 

18 13S 

6 243 

8, ig ... . 45 

16 170 

16, 17 59 

17 197 

19* 226 

20 79 

1-4 223 

2 124 

8 120 

15* 197 

18 218 

19 122 

27* 75 

30 181 

30 260 

31 6 

32 12 

32 126 

32 149 

1* 126 

2 154 

2 199 

2, 8 30 

2, 25 .... 144 

3 119 

14* 218 

15 157 

16* 192 

18* 137 

18 2 

18 78 

18 202 

10 242 

10, 11 ... 200 

10-16 .... 145 

11 60 

II 76 



Galatians 6. 

6. 
6. 
6. 
6. 
6. 
6. 
6. 

Philippians 1 
1, 
1 
1 
1 
1 
2, 
2 
2 
2 
2 



Page 

14. 15 •••• 167 

15 179 

15 243 

17 263 

18 138 

18 156 

18 176 

21 85 

3, 6, 19. 57 

6 116 

6 166 

11 197 

19 171 

27* 251 

1-4 .... 171 

3 251 

3,. 3 .... 124 

4 23 

4* 251 

5* 4 

5 135 

5-8 .... 16 

5-8 .... 35 

5-8 .... 38 

8 70 

9 34 

12, 13 . .. 223 

13 79 

13 261 

15 30 

15 212 

16 10 

17* 199 

1 141 

7- 14 ••• 139 

8- 12 ... 4 

8-14* 57 

9* 4 

9 32 

10 186 

13 246 

14* 5 

14 156 

18* 34 

19 25 

20 3 

20 154 

20* 254 

20, 21 .. . 46 



XX13 



Philippians 3 



Page. 

20, 21 ... 129 

20, 21 ... 223 

21 124 

21 151 

21 248 

5 238 

6* 172 

6 176 

6, 7 ... . 52 

6, 7 .... 59 

7 45 

7 129 

7 141 

11 27 

11 104 

11 107 

12 124 

12, 13 ... 239 

13 138 

18 145 

19 94 

19 113 

19 122 

19 128 

19* 159 

19 227 

4 57 

7 85 

8 138 

10 116 

11 27 

11 229 

13 180 

13 248 

20 16 

20 34 

20 128 

20 158 

20 159 

20 231 

21 189 

23 243 

24 106 

29 79 

10 227 

12, 13 .. . 46 

14 34 

14 152 

14, 15 . - • 157 



Colossians 2. 



2. 
2. 
3. 
3- 
3- 
3- 
3- 
3- 
3- 
3- 
3- 
3- 
3. 
3- 
3- 
3- 
3- 
3- 
3- 
3- 
3- 
3- 
3. 
3- 
3- 
3- 
4- 
4. 
4- 
4- 
4- 
4- 
4- 
4- 
4- 
4- 

I Thessalonians 



Page. 

15' 120 

15 165 

20 22 

20 73 

20 83 

1, 2* . .. 25 

2 9 

2 211 

3* • 4 

3 44 

3* 72 

3 108 

3 128 

3 181 

3, 4 ... 95 

3, 9 73 

4 95 

4 129 

4 222 

8 6 

11 32 

11 43 

12 124 

12 132 

12 157 

15 180 

15, 16 ... 135 

16* 247 

23 245 

2* 67 

6 81 

6 135 

6 201 

6 223 

7, 9 .... 85 

12 139 

12 169 

12 227 

14 267 

1. 1* . . 107 

1. 3 ... 57 

1. 3 ... 224 

1. 5 ... 138 

1. 6 ... 89 

1. 8* .. 10 

1. 8* .. 86 

1. 9 ... 84 

1. 9 ... 188 

1. 9 ... 211 



xxiii 



Page 



I Thessalonians i. 

I. 
I. 
i. 
I. 

2. 
2. 
2. 

3- 
4- 
4- 
4- 
4- 
4- 
4- 
4- 
4- 
5- 
5. 
5- 
5- 
5- 
5. 
5- 
5- 

6-8 
17 • 
3 • 
ii* 
ii . 

12 

13 
16, 
6 

7 
ii 
io 
4 
4 
5 
io 

13* 
13 
6* 
6* 
8 

9 
io 



II Thess. i. 

2. 

" 3- 
3- 
3- 

I Timothy I 
" i 
I 
3 
3 
3 
4 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
6 
6 
6 
6 



9, io. 

9, io. 

9, io. 
io . . . 
io . . . 

2, 3-. 
13 ... 

13 ... 

12 ... 

9 ... 
13-18 . 

14 ... 
14 ... 
14 ... 

16 ... 

17 ... 
17 ... 

6, 7- 
10 . . . 
10 ... 
17* .. 
21 ... 

21 ... 

22 ... 
23* .. 
23, 24 



11 

25 
40 
186 

255 
108 
10 
79 
153 
153 
237 
33 
152 
159 
38 
95 
151 
219 

33 
95 
250 

93 
121 
6 
245 
247 

53 
116 
238 

19 
232 

85 
189 
212 
220 

76 

85 
108 

13 

26 
108 
116 

19 

232 

65 
103 
66 

25 
119 



Pagr 



Titus 



4- 
4- 

I. 9 
1. 10 



6. 


10 




6. 


12, 


19 .... 


6. 


15 




6. 


17 




6. 


19* 




1. 


1, 


9, 10. . 


1. 


4 




1. 


12* 




1. 


12* 




1. 


12 




1. 


13 




1. 


13 




1. 


16 




2. 


1 




2. 


1 




2. 


1 




2. 


1 




2. 


2 




2. 


3 




2. 




10 . ... 


2. 


12 




2. 


J 5 




2. 


15 




2. 


15 




2. 


17, 


18 .... 


2. 


21 




2. 


21 




2. 


21* 




2. 


21* 




2. 


21 




3. 


2 




3- 


2 





12, 15 

4 ... 

5 ... 
5 ... 



10 
10 



4. 10 
4- 14* 



2 . . . 
11 

11-13 
13, 14 



220 
222 
86 
108 
138 
222 

57 
128 
150 
201 

93 
223 

13 
141 
197 

223 
242 

85 
204 

147 
36 
26 
192 
212 
158 
8 
37 
115 
135 
179 
220 
232 
224 
218 

147 
204 

255 
25 
96 

267 

158 
7o 

2ZT 

93 
232 
229 
223 

81 
159 



xxiv 



Titus 2. 

" 2. 
" 2. 

" 3- 

u 3- 

." 3- 
Philemon 

Hebrews 



Page 

14 6 

14 193 

14 231 

1 116 

4 132 

8 108 

20 27 

22 57 

1. 3 ••• 54 

2. 3 116 

2. 9 15 

2. 9-11 36 

2. 10, 14* 164 

2. 14 16 

2. 14 51 

2. 14 73 

2. 14 120 

2. 14 159 

2. 14, 15 269 

3- 2 85 

3- 6 121 

3- 11 in 

3- 12 119 

3- 15 164 

4- 3 52 

4- 3 80 

4. 4* 121 

4- 11 156 

4. 11 192 

4. 12 10 

4. 12 248 

4- 12 265 

4- . 14 117 

4. 14* 121 

4. 16 96 

5- 7 15 

6. 1 135 

6. 11 26 

6. 11 212 

6. 15 147 

6. 15 205 

6. 18 10 

7. 1, 2 226 

7-25 55 

7- 26 1 

7- 26 234 

8. 13 7 

9- 12 152 

9- 14 26 

9- 26* 198 



Hebrews 0. 


« 


9- 




9- 




9- 




9- 




10. 




10. 


« 


10. 




10. 




10. 




10. 




10. 




10. 


<< 


10. 




II. 


<< 


II. 




II. 




II. 




II. 




II. 




II. 




II. 




II. 




II. 




II. 




II. 




12. 




12. 




12. 




12. 




12. 




12. 




12. 




12. 




12. 


" 


12. 




12. 


it 


12. 


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12. 


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12. 


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12. 




12. 




12. 




12. 


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13- 




13. 




13. 


« 


13. 


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13- 




13. 



Page 

26 /. 33 

26 51 

26 157 

28 223 

28 255 

1-4 33 

5 179 

7, 19 36 

17 150 

19 22 

19 80 

22 87 

23 93 

23 121 

4 268 

5 248 

6 91 

6 174 

9, 10 .... 5 

10, 27 8 

13 59 

13, 27 .... 26 

17, 19 .... 15 

27 147 

27* 204 

27 228 

1 27 

1 135 

1 156 

1 229 

i» 2 59 

2* 85 

2 154 

2, 3 36 

2, 3 ...... 147 

2, 3, 6, 7. 204 

3 1 

5, 6 8 

6 145 

6 233 

9 245 

16 25 

23 120 

28* ... 252 

1 132 

5 55 

5 66 

5 104 

6 238 

7* 85 



XXV 









Page. 


Hebrews 13 








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3. 


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Page 






I Peter 


3- 


15 


179 


I John 


I- 




3- 


16 


36 


" a 


l - 


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3- 


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1. 


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223 


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xxviii 



Introduction 



Pearls, Points and Parables speak for themselves. The 
plan of this volume is to give a title as a foundation, 
then a text as a door of entrance to the subject, then an 
incident as suggesting the outline of the house of thought, 
then a Bible Reading as separate rooms to visit, then a 
pearl of thought as unfolding the view to be seen by 
the out-looker. 

The purpose of the book is to help the busy worker 
for Christ. The Christ is the Wheat of God's Word, 
which is wrapped up in the package of sug- 
gestion and outline, that the grain may be ground in the 
mill of the individual's meditation, and then the flour of 
result to be passed on, that cakes of truth may be baked 
for the benefit of others. 

A double index will be found. An index of titles, and 
also an index of texts. The starred texts are the founda- 
tion passages of Scripture and the rest of the texts are 
found in the body of the Bible Reading. 

F. E. MARSH. 

New York, 1908. 



Pearls, Points and Parables 



A Beautiful Life. 

"The beauty of the Lord our God be upon us" (Psalm xc.17). 

"It is said a distinguished artist was once employed to 
paint the likeness of an empress. She was far from beau- 
tiful, and yet he was expected to make a beautiful portrait. 
He visited all parts of the empire, and took the portraits 
of all the beautiful women in the different cities, and made 
a composite picture from them. By an exquisite touch of 
art he put into the composite picture the expression of the 
countenance of the empress. It was the countenance of 
the empress, but there were also the features of the 
princesses of the land." 

As the likeness of the empress was beautified by the 
beauties of the land, so Christ, in all His beauty, should 
be seen in us. 

His compassionate love will cause us to be compassionate 
in heart (2 Cor. v 114) ; 

His patient endurance will enable us to patiently endure 
(Heb. xii:3) ; 

His meek spirit will make us meek in spirit (Matt, xi 129) ; 

His holy walk will prompt us to walk in holiness (1 Pet. 
i:i5); 

His faithfulness in service will inspire us to be faithful too 
(John xvii '.4) ; 

His prayerful dependence will lead us to be prayerful (John 
xiv :i6; xvi 126) ; 

and His beautiful character will constrain us to be lovely 
(Heb. vii:26). 

******** 

A Holy life needs no commendation ; it is its own com- 
mendation, and is bound to command attention. 



I 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



A Bed Quilt. 

"He shall give you another Comforter" {John xiv:i6). 

A poor woman, who was not able to get out to a 
Church service as she was wont, sent her little boy 
with the instruction that he was to bring home as much 
of the sermon as he could. When the boy got home 
he had forgotten all he had heard. 

"Well, do you remember the text ?" queried the mother. 

"Yes," the text was, "God says, He is going to send 
us another bed quilt." 

An additional bed quilt was sorely needed, for the only 
one the mother had was worn and thin, and it was not 
sufficient to keep her and the boy warm. The mother 
could not remember such a text as the boy mentioned, 
so she asked one who was present at the service what 
the text was, and she replied, "I will send you another 
Comforter." The boy knew the bed quilt was a com- 
forter to him when he was cold, so he concluded the 
Comforter was a bed quilt. 

What a number of believers there are who need this 
bed quilt, namely, the comfort of the Comforter. They 
are cold because He does not possess them in power. 

He is (i) The Friend to counsel us by the Truth (John 
xvi:i3). 

(2) The Fulness to supply the deficiencies in our spirit- 

ual character (Eph. v:i8). 

(3) The Fruit to make us correspond to His nature 

(Galatians v.22). 

(4) The Fibre to knit us in love with all God's saints 

(1 Cor. xii:i2, 13). 

(5) The Fire to purify, vivify, and cleanse all our being 

(Acts xi:24). 

(6) The Fervour to inspire us in love and zeal in God's 

service (Acts vi:8-io). 

(7) And the Fuel to feed our spiritual life to its 

strength and progress (John vi:63). 

The Holy Spirit witnesses in us by an uncondemning 
heart before the Lord, and He witnesses to us by the 
assuring statements in His Word. 



2 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



A Christian: What Is He? 

"A Christian" (i Pet. iv:i6). 

"It seems to have been pretty generally taken for grant- 
ed, that the sounds which most strikingly assail the ear 
at close range must also be those that reach the farthest. 
This, however, is far from the truth, as indeed, might 
be easily proved. We listen with charmed ears to the 
varied sounds of a military band, passing us on the march 
at a short distance. Our ears are invaded by a tumultuous 
ocean of sound waves which none the less are perfectly 
agreeable to our sense of hearing. All is not only harmon- 
ious, but well balanced. The reeds easily hold their own 
against the brass. The cymbals now and again pleasantly 
strike us with their crash, and ever and anon the shrill 
little piccolo trills out high above the rest. Yet as the 
troops move on into the distance, these more piercing but 
thinner voices may be the first to fade, presently passing 
out of hearing altogether, and leaving the horns alone 
in competition, and when all else is lost, probably the 
vast waves put in motion by the membrane of the drum 
will be the last to reach the ear." 

Wave sounds are not the only things which are taken 
for granted. One thing which is often taken for granted 
is, that because a certain individual passes as a Christian, 
he therefore is one. 

A Christian is One who believes on Christ (John iii 136) ; 

One who is abiding in Christ (John xv 14) ; 
One who is walking after Christ (Luke ix: 

23) ; 

One who is obedient to Christ (John xiv: 
21); 

One who is indwelt by Christ (Gal. ii :2o) ; 
One who witnesses unto Christ (Acts i:8); 
One who is looking for Him (Phil. iii:2o). 
******** 

A Christian is "a man in Christ," therefore he is not a 
man on earth looking up to heaven, but a man in heaven 
looking down on earth. 

3 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



A Holy Place, Life, and Companion- 
ship. 

In Christ (Phil. iii:g); Like Christ (Phil. ii:5); "With 
Christ" ( Col. iii: 3). 

I asked a student what three things he most wished 
for. He said, "Give me books, health, and quiet, and I 
care for nothing more." I asked a miser, and he cried, 
"Money, money, money !" I asked a pauper, and he 
faintly said, "Bread, bread, bread !" I asked a drunkard, 
and he called loudly for strong drink. I asked the multi- 
tude around me, and they lifted up a confused cry, in 
which I heard the words, "Wealth, fame, and pleasure !" 
I asked a poor man, who had long borne the character 
of an experienced Christian. He replied, that all his 
wishes might be met in Christ. He spoke seriously ; and 
I asked him to explain. He said, "I greatly desire three 
things : first, that I may be found in Christ ; secondly, that 
I may be like Christ ; thirdly, that I may be with Christ." 

Paul illustrates these things in his five desires of Phil., 
iii :8-i2. 

"I may win Christ." 
"Be found in Him." 
"That I may know Him?" 
"I might attain." 
"I may apprehend." 

******** 

Wholeness and holiness are akin in sound and sub- 
stance. Holiness to the Lord is expressed in whole- 
heartedness to, and for, Him. 



Aiming* for the Goal. 

"I press toward the mark" (Phil, iii: 14). 

In an art gallery, before a great painting, a young artist 
said to Ruskin : "Ah ! if I could put such a dream on 
canvas !" 



4 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



"Dream on canvas !" growled the stern old critic. "It 
will take 10,000 touches of the brush on the canvas to put 
your dream there." 

The dream could only become a reality by dint of hard 
work. Success is found in the mine of labor, where it 
has to be dug for. The stones which flash most are those 
which are ground most. Polishing means patient appli- 
cation, but then the polish is the reward. "Trifles make 
perfection, but perfection is no trifle." 

Persistence will surely meet with blessing (Rom. ii:7). 
Pains may mean pain in performance, but they shall result 

in pleasure (2 Pet. i:io). 
Plod may get prods as he walks, but he shall reach his 

destination (Heb. xi:9, 10). 
The travail of birth will result in another life to live, and 

this may mean an influence for good (Isa. lxvi:8). 
The river in its flow may pass undesirable places, but it 

will minister blessing to some (Ez. xlvii 19-11 ). 
The wind in its rush may overturn, but it will also purify 

some fear-haunted souls (Acts ii 12-37). 
Have a mark, and press towards it, and let nothing hinder 

in pressing towards it (1 Cor. ix.*24). 

jit******* 

Aim, attention, activity are essentials of success in any 
grade of life, and more especially in the Christian life. 
Aim true, attend well, and be active in all, and something 
will be done. 



All, and no Compromise. 

"Utterly destroy" (1 Sam. xv:z). 

At one of our seaside resorts, a cab proprietor was 
fined $50 and costs, for not having licenses for twenty- 
seven carriages. His excuse was, that they were relics 
of antiquity, kept to lend out while others underwent re- 



5 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



pair. Some make a like plea when their sins are discov- 
ered ; they do not sin as a regular business, though it is 
true they keep some of the old relics of antiquity. If we 
keep the devil's carriages, even under such a pretence, we 
shall find them turn into funeral cars ere long. Do not 
keep wine in the cellar, and you will not drink it. He who 
has a pistol may shoot. 

The Lord demands a clean sweep of all that is sinful. 
This may be gathered if the word "all" is pondered in the 
following Scriptures : 

Christ died to redeem us from "all iniquity" (Tit. 11:14). 
We are to "cleanse ourselves from all filthiness" (2 Cor. 
vii :i). 

We are to avoid "all appearance of evil" (1 Thess. v.22). 
We are to lay aside "all malice" and "all evil speakings" 
(1 Pet. ii:i). 

We are to put away "all bitterness" (Eph. iv:3i), and "all 
* * * anger" with its accompanying evils (Col. iii: 
8). 

The Best Thing to do is to obey. Obedience to the 
Lord's command proves our love and loyalty to Him. 
When we obey His behests, He will not deny us His bles- 
sings. 



"All Things Become New." 

(2 Cor. v:i7). 

"If any man is in Christ, there is a new creation" (2 Cor. v: 
17, R. V. margin). 

'That man wants a prop on each side of him," said 
Bishop Taylor Smith, on one occasion, when a curate near 
London, of some unhappy specimen at a tramps' break- 
fast. "No, sir," replied the worker, himself a reclaimed 
tramp ; "he wants a new stem right down the middle." 



6 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



So the Lord works with men. He does not prop us up ; 
He makes us anew ; hence the believer is 
A "new creature" (2 Cor. v:i7); 
He sings a "new song" (Ps. xl:3); 
He is in the "new covenant" (Heb. viii 113) ; 
Has a "new name" (Rev. iiny); 

Carries out a "new commandment" (John xiii :34) ; 
Walks in a new life (Rom. vi 14) ; 
And is going to the "new Jerusalem" (Rev. xxi:2). 
* * # * * * * * 

The new creation is the production of the Holy Spirit, 
and whenever that production exists, likeness to Him 
who produced it is evident, even as the child is like its 
parent. 



Angel the Marble. 

"He shall purify the sons of Levi" (Mai m/3). 

"We need a lot of chipping." So said a saint as we 
were talking together about the Lord's gracious dealings 
with His people. The saying suggested to my mind the 
Lord Jesus as the loving Sculptor at work upon the mar- 
ble of our humanity. There is an angel in the marble, 
because the pierced hand of the Artist has it in His mind 
and brings it out by His skill, but there is a "lot of chip- 
ping" to be done before the beautiful image of His holy 
character stands out, displaying the perfection of His 
work. The hard stone of unbelief, the rough points of 
self-will, the prominences of worldly ambition, the sharp 
angles of pride, the ugly faults of temper, the stubborn 
marks of hereditary trait, and the dark veins of selfish- 
ness, are some of the things He removes. 

The Lord uses various similes to illustrate His dealings 
with us. 

He uses the sieve of sifting to get rid of the chaff of 
worldliness and to preserve the corn of consecration 
(Amos ix :9). 



7 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



He uses the rod of chastisement to remove from us the 
folly of wilfulness and to train us in the ways of right- 
eousness (Heb. xii:5, 6). 

He puts us in the crucible of refining to remove the dross 
of unbelief, and waits to see the face of His own char- 
acter in the silver of our life (Mai. iii.*3). 

He uses the knife of pruning to cut off the fruitless branches 
of profession, and to strengthen the fruitful branches of 
love (John xv:2). 

He puts us in the fire of trial to burn up the evil 
remnants of old habits formed in sin, and to test the 
reality of our faith in Christ (i Pet. i:7). 

He puts us on the wheel of fashioning to save us from the 
uselessness of an aimless life, and to make us a vessel 
meet for His use (2 Tim. ii:2i) ; 

And He pours the metal of our inner nature into the mould 
of His truth, that He may keep us from the shapeless- 
ness of worldly ambition and make us answer to the 
humility of His character (Rom. vi:i7, margin). 

******** 

The hammer of His word and the chisel of His grace, 
are used by the hands of Him, whose hands were once 
transfixed for our benefit on Calvary's cross. 



Appearances, the Poinsetta. 

"Judge not according to the appearances" (John vii:2^). 

The poinsetta is a beautiful flower, in which the leaves 
close to the bud take on such a rich color, that they are 
often mistaken for the blossom itself, which is, however, 
a very insignificant thing. "So men often cultivate their 
secondary powers to a brilliant hue, while the heart is 
shamefully neglected and appears miserably small." 

The spiritual man does not do this, 

He seeks first the kingdom of God (Matt. vi:33), 
He has the spiritual on the top and the body under (1 Cor. 
ix 127), 

He looks at the seen unreal with the eyes of the real un- 
seen (2 Cor. iv:i8), 

He looks not at the present but for a future glory (Heb. 
xi :io), 

8 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



He has his eyes on the eternal, and can thus truly live in 

the present (Heb. xi:27), 
He sets his affection on things above in contrast to those 

who solely mind earthly things (Col. iii:2), 
And he walks with God among men, and not as men walk 

with themselves (Gen. v.22). 
******** 

It is not the glamour of outward appearance that tells 
with heaven, but the glow of a consecrated heart. 



Assurance* 

"Verily, verily, I say unto you" (John v:2<\). 

A poor Scotchwoman, in Glasgow, who had attended 
some evangelistic meetings, resolved that she would rest 
her soul for her salvation on the words of the Lord Jesus 
as found in John v. 24: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, 
he that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent 
Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into con- 
demnation; but is passed from death unto life." Major 
Whittle, the evangelist, wrote the words on a card, and 
gave it to her. She became very happy, so much so, her 
little boy was attracted by the joy of his mother, and 
asked what had happened. She told him the best way 
she could; the consequence was, he too was led to trust 
in the Saviour. But the next morning she felt very 
different. Despondency and doubt had taken the place of 
peace and joy. She betrayed the state of her mind by the 
gloom on her face. Harry noticed it at once, and asked 
her what was the matter. She replied : "I thought I was 
saved, but my feelings are all gone." "But," said the little 
fellow, "Mither, has the verse changed?" Quick as a 
flash he turned to the Bible and got the little card and 
read it, and looking up radiantly, replied: "Why, no 
mither; it's just the same." And then he turned to the 
Bible, and read it there with great joy, shouting almost 
as he cried: "It's a* here, mither, the verse is just the 



9 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



same!" The unalterable word of the living God is the 
only ground for assurance. 

(1) The Word is the anchor to keep the barque of our 
being steady amidst the storms of life (Heb. vi:i8). 

(2) It is the harbor-light which shows us where the port of 
the Lord's protecting presence is (Phil. ii:i6). 

(3) It is the foundation upon which the believer can rest in 
safety (1 Pet. i:23). 

(4) It is the soil in which the grace of faith grows (Acts 
xx -.32). 

(5) It is the cable that communicates to us the electric cur- 
rent of God's power (Heb. iv:i2). 

(6) It is the telephone by means of which we hear the voice 
of the Lord speaking to us to our joy and comfort 
(1 Thess. ii:i3). 

(7) And it is the atmosphere by means of which we see the 
brightness of the coming glory (John xvii:i/). 

To add the words of our reason to the Word of God's 
revelation, is not only to demonstrate our folly, but to ask 
the Lord to add the rod to our back (Prov. xxx:6). 



A Telling* Argument, 

"From you sounded out the Word of the Lord"' (: Thess. z':S). 

A woman who had been a drunkard was standing at 
an open air service, when she observed a person who had 
formerly been one of her bad companions, suddenly leave 
the crowd and walk quickly away. Hurrying after her 
she found her in great distress of soul. "Oh/' she said, 
"I listened to the speakers, but when I saw you standing 
there so wonderfully changed from what you used to be, 
I could stand it no longer." She was induced to return 
to the meeting, and decide for Christ. 

The above incident shows the effectiveness of witness- 
bearing. Christ is more honored by our witnessing than 
by our talking. 

The blind man witnessed to Christ's sight-giving power 
(John ix:25). 

TO 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

The demoniac witnessed to Christ's delivering grace (Mark 
v :2o). 

The leper witnessed to Christ's cleansing touch (Mark i :45) . 
The woman witnessed to Christ's satisfying love (Luke 
vii =37). 

The crooked woman witnessed to Christ's straightening 

might (Luke xiii:i3). 
The raised man witnessed to Christ's quickening life (Luke 

vii:i5). 

The disciples witnessed to Christ's excellent glory (John 

i .14; 2 Pet. i :i6). 
The saints at Thessalonica witnessed to Christ's effective 

working (1 Thess. i:g, 10). 

To know the truth as in Jesus we must be true to the 
truth we know. Walking in the truth, truth walks with 
us, imparts His secrets, and speaks for itself. 



Bankrupt. 

"I am poor and needy" (Ps. xl:iy). 

"Here's a man wants to speak to you,'' said a Christian 
worker to me at the close of a gospel meeting held in a 
concert hall. 

"Well," I said, to a shabbily-dressed man, with a 
bleared look and a breath strongly pungent with whiskey. 

"I want salvation," he said, in a voice shaky with 
emotion. 

"You can have it," I replied, "by accepting Christ as 
your Saviour, and giving up the drink." 

I prayed for him, and as I was praying, he whimpered 
out in a most pathetic voice, "Poor me!" It was the cry, 
the groan of a soul feeling the lash of sinful habit, and the 
iron grip of sin. "Poor me I" How much bottled-up 
misery there was in that wail of despair, for wail of des- 
pair it was ; and yet there was a deep longing to be free 
from the Satanic grip which held him. 



I T 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Thank God for the gospel which comes to the "poor 
me" just as he is, and breaks the power of sin, as well 
as blots out the iniquity. 

The woman who was a sinner (Luke vii 137-50), 

The demon-possessed man (Mark v:i5), 

The devil-gripped Mary Magdalene (Luke viii:2), 

The despised publican (Luke xviii:i3), 

Coveteous Zacchaeus (Luke xix:2-io), 

Self-righteous Saul of Tarsus (Acts ix:i8), 

And religious Nicodemus (John iii:i-i6), are some of the 
poor me's, that Christ met and blest. He is still the 
same. None but Jesus can do helpless sinners good; 
but blessed be His name, there is no "poor me" that He 
cannot save. His blood is the panacea for every ill of 
sin, and He Himself the Satisfier of every heartache. 

******** 

Satisfaction does not depend on possessions or position, 
but on disposition. What is your disposition towards 
Christ? If it is faith in Him, and love to Him, then you 
are satisfied with Him, and have all things in Him. 



Beauty and Fragrance. 

"Sweet Flowers" (Canticles v:i$). 

Walking along Magdalen Green, in Dundee, my sense 
of smell was suddenly greeted by a sweet fragrance. I 
instinctively turned to whence it came from, and saw a 
row of mignonette, modestly blooming against a stone 
wall. Its sweetness betrayed its presence. The same 
thing is true of a beautiful Christian character — it speaks 
for itself by its sweetness of temper and attractiveness of 
grace. 

What a beautiful nosegay of fragrance the following 
make: 

The white lily of purity (Matt. v:8), 
The crimson rose of love (Luke vii:47), 
The pink carnation of tenderness (Eph. iv:32), 
The sweet violet of humility (1 Pet. v:3), 



12 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



The blue forget-me-not of unselfish thoughtfulness (2 Tim, 
1:16), 

The mignonette of a sweet temper (Rom. xv:2), 
And the maidenhair fern of an ever-green piety (1 Tim. 
v:4). 

******** 
The faces of some saints are like fresh flowers on a 
spring- morning-, while others resemble a damp fog on a 
November day. The latter chills, while the others cheer 
and gladden. 



Be What You Are. 

"Ye are * * * if ye do" {John xv.14). 

At Federal Hill, Baltimore, Colonel Warren gave ord- 
ers to his guards that only officers in uniform were to be 
admitted to camp. One bright morning General Dix, 
who commanded the troops guarding the city, walked 
over from Fort McHenry in undress. Attempting to pass 
the line of sentries, in company with an aide, the old gen- 
eral was amused at finding a musket barring his passage, 
while the aide, with his glittering shoulder straps, was 
permitted to pass. 

"Why do you stop me, my man ?" inquired the general, 
quietly. 

"My orders are to admit only officers in uniform," was 
the reply. 

"But do you see that this is General Dix?" exclaimed 
the aide angrily. 

"Well, between you and me, Major," said the sentry, 
his eyes twinkling with amusement, "I see very well who 
it is ; but if General Dix wants to get into this camp, he 
had better go back and put on his uniform/' 

"You are right, sentry," remarked the general ; "I'll go 
back and get my coat." 

The soldier recognized that obedience to his superior's 
command was the law in the military realm. The same 

13 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

is true in the Christian life. We prove what we are by 
what we do.. 

There are seven things believers in Christ are seen to 
be, in John xv, and the consequent responsibility attached 
to each. 

(1) We are fruitful branches through union with Christ 
(verse 5). 

(2) We are prevailing suppliants by abiding in Christ 
(verse 7). 

(3) We are manifest disciples by abundant fruit-bearing 
in Christ (verse 8). 

(4) We are faithful keepers by obedience to Christ (verse 
10). 

(5) We are true friends by recognizing the claims of Christ 
(verse 14). 

(6) We are persecuted servants by our identification with 
Christ (verse 20). 

(7) We are yoked witnesses through our fellowship with 
the Spirit in our testimony to Christ (verse 27). 

******** 

To have the name of a saint and not to have the nature 
of one, is to be like the sign-post which points to the 
place, but never gets to the place to which it points. 



Blessings in Disguise. 

"Thou could'st have no power at all against Me, except it were 
given thee from above" (John xix:ii). 

"There was given to me a thorn in the flesh" (2 Cor. xii:7). 

"God gave me blindness," says Dr. Moon, "as a talent 
to be used in His service, that I might see the needs of 
those who could not see." 

The ills of life will turn into angels of blessing if we 
remember God is in them. His permissions which mean 
great trial to us, lead us to places of benediction. 

The bow of promise is seen in the dark cloud of judgment 
(Gen. ix:i3). 

14 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



The stony pillow of Bethel is the forerunner of the ladder 

to the glory (Gen. xxviii:n, 12). 
The binding of Moriah is followed by the raising from the 

dead (Heb. xi:i7-i9). 
The seven years of service is rewarded by the acquisition 

of Rachel (Gen. xxix:28). 
The backside of the desert is the prelude to the burning 

bush of revelation (Ex. iii:i, 2). 
The fiery furnace reveals the succouring Saviour (Daniel 

iii:25) ; 

And Gethsemane is crowned by Olivet (Heb. v:7; ii:g). 

Heartaches are not pleasant while the ache is on, but 
they are heart-makers if rightly understood. The roll of 
the tides takes the roughness from the stones and makes 
them smooth. 



Blessing's of the Atonement. 

"The precious blood of Christ" (1 Pet. i:ig). 

"The only thing I want/' said Bishop Hamilton in his 
dying moments, "is to place my whole confidence more 
and more perfectly in the precious blood." We may know 
more prefectly what the precious blood of Christ has done 
for us when we call to mind the following seven things : 

(1) It averts the judgment of God against sin, as the 
blood of the paschal lamb did on the night of the 
Passover (Ex. xii:i3; 1 Cor. v:7). 

(2) It converts the one who believes in the Substitute, 
even as the blood of cleansing changed the position and 
condition of the cleansed leper (Lev. xiv:i4; Rev. 
i:5). 

(3) It inverts the position we once occupied to the world, 
for instead of being in it we are now separated from it, 
even as God said to Pharaoh of Israel : "I will put 
a redemption (margin) between thy people and My 
people" (Ex. viii 123). 

(4) The blood of Christ inserts us in a new place, even 
as the blood of the covenant enabled Moses and the 
seventy elders to draw nigh and see the God of Israel 
(Ex. xxiv:5-io). 

15 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



(5) It asserts that the blessings of pardon (Eph. 1:7), 
peace (Col. 1:20), power (Rev. xii:n), purity (1 John 
1:7), and paradise are secured in Him (Rev. vii:i4). 

(6) The blood of Christ exerts a powerful influence in its 
practical bearing, for it kills sin (Rom. vin-13), slays 
self (2 Cor. v:i5), and overcomes pride (Phil. ii:5-8); 

(7) And the blood of Christ subverts the powers of hell 
which have been conquered by His death, even as when 
the sacrificial lamb was offered by Samuel, and the Lord 
discomfited the Philistines in consequence (i Sam. vii: 
9, 10; Heb. 11:14; Col. i:i4). 

The Blessing of Christ's atonement is the Blessing of 
every gospel blessing, for there is no blessing without 
it, and all blessing is secured by it. 



Borrowing' Misery* 

"I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul" (1 Sam. xxvii:i). 

One advantage in riding through the country on a 
bicycle, is that one passes through many truly rural 
scenes. Besides this, one sees not only "sermons in stones" 
and "running brooks," and "good in everything," but pic- 
tures of gospel truth. 

One thing the cyclist dreads, is a puncture, especially 
when he suddenly finds his tire down in a lonely country 
road, and after having carefully examined it, cannot locate 
the leaky part. Such was my experience some few miles 
out of York. What was to be done? There was no 
friendly cottage in sight, where a bowl of water could be 
obtained in order to find the escaping air in the tell-tale 
bubbles. In desperation the inner tube was put in the 
outside cover again, and the tire blown up. I rode on, 
expecting every minute to feel the rims of the wheel on 
the ground ; but, to my agreeable surprise, the wheel kept 
up, and there was no need to touch it again in the run to 
London. Some cyclist friend will say: "Ah, the valve 
was leaking!" but it was not. Many evils in life are not 
so bad as they seem to be at first. 



16 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



(1) David exclaimed: "I shall now one day perish at 
the hand of Saul" (i Sam. xxvii:i). 

(2) The disciples cried out : "Master * * * we per- 
ish;" but instead of perishing they were "preserved by 
Him" (Mark iv:38). 

(3) Paul was let down in a basket, and directly afterwards 
he was caught up into heaven (2 Cor. xi:33; xii:2). 

(4) Joseph was cast into prison, but it was the prelude to 
his being led into the palace (Gen. xxxix:2o; xli:40). 

(5) John was banished to Patmos, but it became a paradise 
in the soul-ravishing view he had of Christ (Rev. i :g, 
13-16) ; 

(6) And Jacob found his stony pillow to be the place 
where the sunny path to heaven was seen (Gen. xxviii : 
n-15). 

To borrow misery is a sorry loan to get, for it is a loan 
which calls for a large interest, as well as being a fretting 
companion to torment. 



Bright and Burning. 

"He was a burning and shining light" (John v:3$). 

"A cold firebrand and a burning lamp started out one 
day to see what they could find. The firebrand came back 
and wrote in its journal that the whole world was very 
dark. It did not find a place, wherever it went, in which 
there was light. Everywhere was darkness. The lamp 
when it came back wrote in its journal : 'Wherever I 
went it was light. I did not find any darkness in all my 
journey. The whole world was light.' The lamp carried 
light with it, and when it went abroad it illuminated 
everything. The dead firebrand carried no light, and it 
found none where it went." 

The lesson of the allegory is, we shall see around us 
what we are in ourselves. 

Ahab saw in Elijah an enemy, bcause he was an enemy of 
God (1 Kings xxi:2o). 



17 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



The Corinthians said Paul's "bodily presence was weak, and 
his speech contemptible," whereas they were sadly lack- 
ing in spirituality. If they had possessed his spiritual 
power, they would not have seen his bodily weakness 
(2 Cor. x:io; 1 Cor. iii:i). 

Festus was lacking in spiritual reason; hence, he thought 
the apostle was mad (Acts xxvi 124, 25). 

Very often the "mote" which is seen in another's eye is the 
reflection of the "beam" in our own (Matt. vii:4). 

On the other hand, when the light of love is burning in the 
heart, many apparently unimportant things are found to 
have a heart of worth. Insignificant mites are mighty 
in value (Mark xii:42). A lad's five loaves and a 
few fishes are sufficient and abundant to supply the 
need of a hungry multitude (John vi:9). A little cloud 
is the harbinger of a great deluge of rain (1 Kings 
xviii:44) ; and a man, mean in appearance, like John the 
Baptist, is none the less a burning apostle of love, and a 
shining light of unmistakable testimony. 
******** 

Some who profess to be burning and shining lights to 
the Lord's glory, are ill-smelling lamps and a burning 
shame to their own disgrace. 

Business of the Saint. 

"Follow thou Me" {John xxi.22). 

Tradition tells of an old minister in Scotland, who, in 
discoursing on the word "follow," which was in his text, 
informed his hearers that he would speak of four kinds of 
followers. 

"First," said he, "there are followers ahint ; secondly, 
there are followers afore; thirdly, there are followers 
cheekie for chow, and sidie by sidie ; and last o' a', there 
are followers that stand stane-still." 

We smile at the old man's ignorance, in speaking of 
followers as before, beside, and standing still ; but I am 
not sure whether he was not right after all, for we have 
known professed followers of the Lord Jesus who have 
run before their Lord, like Peter, when he cut off the ear 
of the servant of the high priest without his Lord's direc- 
tion (Luke xxii :49). 

18 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

There are also followers of the Lord who presume in plac- 
ing themselves beside Him as if they were His equal, 
like the man in the parable who took the uppermost 
seat, and was placed in the lowest for his assumption 
(Luke xiv :g) ; 

and there are followers who stand still when they should 
be following in the steps of their Lord, like Peter, when 
he wanted to know what John was to do, instead of 
obeying Christ's "Follow Me" (John xxi:22). 

To follow Christ means 

To imitate His example (i Pet. ii:2i), 

To obey His Word (Matt. iv:2o), 

To take up His cross (Matt. XVL24), 

To deny the self-life (John xii:26), 

And to be used in His service (John L37). 

The Best Business of heaven is to serve the Lord in the 
business of earth. Earth's occupations are Heaven's op- 
portunities to defeat Hell's machinations. 



Busybodies and How to Cure Them. 

"Tattlers and busybodies" ("meddler," 1 Pet. iv.15 r. v.), 
"speaking things which they ought not" (1 Tim. 
z>:i3; 2 Thess. 

A native of Aniwa, named Titonga, recently gave the 
following sound advice to his brethren: "I see many 
things among us that are not right. There is often bad 
talk. When you hear a whisper of scandal, you bend 
forward your ear, and exclaim, 'Say that again: say it 
again, that I may hear it well !' and then you take it and 
put it in your heart, and go about looking for someone to 
tell it to. You come to church and take the Word of 
Jesus, and open it and read it and then you shut it and 
leave it there. You go to school in the morning, and open 
the Word of Jesus and read it ; then you shut it and leave 
it there. You go to your work and forget it. You do not 
lay it up in your hearts. My friends, this is not right; 
we must close our hearts and ears to bad talk, and open 
our ears and hearts to the Word of Jesus." 



19 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

If we give attention to pulling the beam out of our own 

eye (Matt. vii:5), 

build over against our own house 
(Neh. in :28), 

cleanse ourselves from all filthiness 
(2 Cor. vii:i), 

keep our own hearts with all dili- 
gence (Pro. iv:23), 

bridle our own tongue (Jas. iii:2), 

look to our own spiritual welfare 
(2 John 8), 

and hearken to the voice of the 
Lord Jesus ourselves (Luke 
viii :35), 

we shall have no time for "bad talk." 
******** 
To be a busybody is to be busy about the business of 
other bodies, and to neglect the business which should 
occupy the body who is minding the business of those 
other bodies. 



"But God — " 

(Acts xiiiiso). 

Two significant words ! When we leave God out of 
our reckoning, difficulties will daunt us, temptations will 
triumph over us, sin will seduce us, self will sway us, the 
world will warp us, seeming impossibilities will irritate 
us, unbelief will undermine our faith, Christian work will 
worry us, fear will frighten us, and all things will wear a 
sombre hue. When God is recognized as the One who 
undertakes for us, then difficulties are opportunities to 
trust Him, temptations are the harbingers of victory, sin 
has no attraction, self is denied, unbelief is ignored, ser- 
vice is a delight, contentment sings in the heart, and all 
things are possible. 

(1) The Pardoner of Sins.— "Who can forgive sins but 
God only" (Mark ii:7). He forgives sins for the sake 
of Christ (1 John ii:i2), through the blood of His 
atonement (Eph. 1:7), and He forgives fully (Ps. ciii: 
3), freely (Rom. iii 124), and frankly (Luke vii:42). 



20 



PEARLS. POINTS AND PARABLES. 

(2) The Bestower of Life. — "But God, who is rich in 
mercy, &c." (Eph. ii 14, 5). The death of sin gripped 
us in its grasp, till the Lord in His grace quickened 
us by His Spirit. Now we have life from Christ (John 
v:25), life in Christ (Rom. viii:2), and Christ, in His 
life, in us (Gal. ii:2o). 

(3) The Keeper of Saints. — "But God was with him" 
(Acts vii:9). Men may persecute, sin may tempt, the 
world may invite, the devil may harass, and the flesh 
may entice; but when God is with His own in His 
power, and they are with Him in their obedience, no 
evil can befall them ; and no plague can come nigh their 
dwelling. 

(4) The Estimator of Hearts. — "But God knoweth your 
hearts" (Luke xvi:i5). Men may deceive themselves 
with the veneer of profession, with the assertion of talk, 
and with the cloak of religion; but God weighs the 
motives, judges the heart, sees the reality, and estimates 
righteously. 

(5) The Appointer of Members. — "But God hath tem- 
pered the body together" (1 Cor. xii:24). The 
word rendered "tempered together" means to "knit to- 
gether," as the members of the body; to commingle, as 
the many drops of water make the stream. The word 
is a compound one : "sun" means together, the union of 
one thing with another; and "kerannumi" signifies to 
mingle. God has given to each member his place in the 
body, and it is the place of each member to keep in his 
own place, and not to displace any other member. 

(6) The Cause of Blessing. — "But God gave the increase" 
(1 Cor. iii:6). The word "to increase" is rendered 
"grow" in Matt. vi:28; Eph. iv:i5; 1 Pet. ii:2; 2 Pet. 
iii:i8. Man may plant and water, but God must 
cause the germination and growth. As man does his 
part, God fulfils His part. He can do without us, but 
He is pleased to do with us. He blesses our efforts, 
but our efforts are useless without His blessing. 

(7) The Revealer of Truth. — "But God hath revealed 
them unto us by His Spirit" (1 Cor. ii:io). The eye 
of man's perception cannot see the things of God, nor 
can the ear of his concentration locate them. They are 
only made known as we are living in the atmosphere 
of the Holy Spirit, for as we can only see and hear 
by means of the atmosphere, so we can only see and 
hear things of God by means of the illumination of the 
Spirit. 

******** 
When God is in our reckonings we count and can count. 



21 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Calvary. 

"The place which is called Calvary" (Luke xxiii:33). 

A man was explaining the City of Jerusalem and its 
vicinity. He described the situation of the city, the mount 
called Zion, the historic association of Olivet, the hal- 
lowed connections of Gethsemane, the silent waters of 
Shiloh, the grandeur of the tombs of the kings, the sim- 
plicity of the well of Jacob : when all of a sudden, a man 
who was intently listening to the lecturer, shouted "Show 
us Calvary." Calvary is the place which makes every 
other place in the Holy Land to be of interest. 

As we look to the cross and remember the Christ who 
suffered there, we gladly say, ''His death is 

The price of our salvation (i Cor. vi:2o), 

The pass into God's presence (Heb. x:iq), 

The propitiator of our guilt (Rom. iii:25), 

The peacemaker for our reconciliation (Col. ii:20), 

The power of our Christian life (Heb. xiii:i2), 

The provider of our blessing (Eph. 1:7), 

And the plea of our testimony (1 Cor. xv:i). 

The Best Place in God's universe is Calvary. The place 
of a skull is the place where the skulls of a dead past are 
annihilated, and the skulls of dead sinners are vivified into 
living saints. 



Carefulness. 

"If thou carefully hearken unto the Lord" (Deut. xv:$). 

"Keep the door shut" was the imperative injunction of 
one of the officials as the train was slowly moving back, 
into a railway station in England. An officious passenger 
would insist on standing near the door of a carriage and 
holding it open. 

"It is all right," was the reply of the self-complacent 
young man, "I shall not fall out." 



22 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



"Perhaps not/' was the rejoinder, "but you might 
knock someone down by having the door open. Shut it !" 

Sometimes Christians are equally thoughtless. They 
are quite concerned about their own safety, but they are 
not as equally solicitous of others' harm. "Do thyself no 
harm," was a wise word of Paul to the jailer (Acts xvi: 
28), and it is a good rule to observe; but it is even more 
important to remember that "love worketh no ill to its 
neighbor" (Rom. xiiino). The very first principle of 
vital godliness is, the believer is more concerned about 
other's weal than his own welfare. The child of God, as 
he lives up to his privileges, observes the following rules : 

(1) He denies himself (Luke 1x123). 

(2) He loves his brother (1 John Hi 114). 

(3) He looks upon the things of others (Phil. ii:4). 

(4) He ministers to the need of those who are of "the 
household of faith" (Galatians vi:io). 

(5) He sympathises with those who are in sorrow (Rom. 
xii:is). 

(6) He allows others to be preferred before him (Rom. 
xii :io) ; 

(7) He seeks to please his Lord in all things (Heb. 
xiii:2i). 

To be careful with the thought of carefulness, is the 
believer's duty; but to be careful with the burden of 
anxiety is to the believer's damage. 



Castaway. 

"Lest * * * I should be a Castaway" (1 Cor. ix:2j), 

"In the quarry, hard by the temple at Baalbek, in Syria, 
there is a tremendous block of stone, which, with labor 
that most present-day writers would call infinite — though 
there is nothing infinite in the work of man — has been 
hewn and squared. It is no less than 68 feet long, 14 feet 
broad, and 14 feet high. Yet, though so much trouble 
has been taken with it, it was never built into the temple. 



23 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



As a company of the Lord's servants walked past it on 
one occasion, it seemed to lift its warning voice to them, 
saying, in the words of Paul, 'Lest by any means, when I 
have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.' " 
While we fully recognize that salvation is all of grace 
(Ephesians ii:8), and that eternal life is God's gift (Rom. 
vi:23), still it is possible 

To lose the "full reward" (2 John 8), 

For the crown to be taken by another (Rev. iii:ii), 

For the believer to be "ashamed" at Christ's coming 

(1 John ii:2&), 
To miss the abundant entrance (2 Peter i:ii), 
Not to obtain the "well done" (Matt. xxv:2i), 
To have the works burnt up (1 Cor. iii:i5), 
And to be disapproved as a servant of Christ (1 Cor. ix:27). 

To be faithful to the Lord is the sure way not to be 
disapproved by Him. If we honor Him by our devotion 
to Him, He will honor us by praise, honor and glory at 
His return. 



Casting 6 Away the Hindrance. 

"He casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus" 
(Mark x:5o). 

"They told me," says Dr. Hedin, in recounting some of 
the legends related to him, in his travels in "The Big 
Sand" of Central Asia, "that there once existed a large 
town called Takla-makan in the desert, midway between 
the Yakand-daria and the Khotan-daria, but for ages it 
had been buried in the sand. * * * They reported, 
further, that the interior of the desert was under the ban 
of telesmat (an Arabic word meaning 'witchcraft,' 'super- 
natural powers'), and that there were towers, and walls, 
and houses, and heaps of gold tacks and silver jambaus 
(tack and jambau being Chinese coins). If a man went 
there with a caravan, and loaded his camels with gold, 



24 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

he would never get out of the desert again, but be kept 
there by the spirits. In that case, there was only one way 
in which he could save his life, and that was by throwing 
away the treasure." 

How many there are who are weighted down with 
earthly things, which keep them in the desert of sin's con- 
demnation and control. 

"The cares of this life" (Luke viii:i4). 

Riches (i Tim. vi :g). 

Greed (Phil. iii:ig). 

Self-gratification (Heb. xii:i6). 

The world (2 Tim. iv:io). 

Self-will (Jude 11). 

And pride (Num. xvi:i; Jude 11). 

Are some of the treasures which men have grasped at, and 
perished in consequence. 

Men are not saved for what they give up, but they cannot 
have sin and the Saviour. 

If they want the latter, they must part with the former, 
as the Thessalonians did, who "turned to God from 
idols, to serve the living and true God, and to wait for 
His Son from Heaven" (1 Thess. i :a, 10). 

He that will save the treasure of the self-life will lose it, 
but he that will lose the self-life will find the treasure 
of the life which is eternal (John xii:25). 

******** 

To be hindered by a hindrance is to be a hindrance as 
well as being hindered. When we hinder the Lord's 
work, we hinder God's people, as well as hinder our- 
selves by our hindrance. 



Centralization. 

"Seek those things which are above" (Col. iiiii). 

A young lady, in writing to a friend, said: "I want 
something, but I do not know what. My brain is not 
active enough to plan for itself. I have always lived in a 
rather narrow sphere, but feel sometimes as though I must 
strike out somewhere. My brain wants expanding, my 



25 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



thoughts need leading; but unless it is along an interest- 
ing path, my perseverance soon flags. Can you advise 
me?" 

There will be no aimlessness in the heart and life, if 
the injunctions found in the following seven Scriptures 
are followed, for these seven S's are straight, sure, and 
settling : 

"Seek" (Matt. VL33). 
"Set" (Col. in 12; Ps. xvi:8). 
"Separate" (2 Cor. vi:i7). 
"Strive" (Rom. xv:3o). 
"Save" (1 Cor. ix:22). 

"Serve" (Rom. vii:6; Gal. v:i3; Heb. ix:i4). 

"Show" (1 Tim. v.4; 2 Tim. ii:i5; Heb. villi; James 

ii:i8; iii : 13 ; 1 Peter ii:9). 
Look up the Scriptures carefully, ponder them thoughtfully, 

and practise them thoroughly. 

When the heart is centred in the Lord and conserved 
for Him, we can converse with Him and He communi- 
cates His blessings to us. 



Chain of Consequent Blessing*. 

"Add to your faith" (2 Peter i:s). 

Faith comes through the Word, joy comes through be- 
lieving, patience comes through trial, power comes 
through prayer, victory comes through equipment, assur- 
ance comes through obedience, and glory comes through 
suffering. Note four of these. 

(1) Faith Comes Through the Word. "Faith cometh 
by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" 
(Rom. x:i7). A God-given faith comes through the 
God-given Word and rests in the God-given Christ. 
Faith has no being apart from the Word, and no bless- 
ing either. The world's maxim is, "Seeing is believing" 
(Mark xv.32), but faith's axiom is "Believing is seeing" 
John xi:4o; 1:51; xx:29; 1 Peter i:8; 2 Cor. iv 117-18; 
v:7; Heb. XL13-27). 



26 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



(2) Joy Comes Through Faith. "Joy and peace in be- 
lieving" (Rom. xv:i3). Joy is God-given in its source 
(Ps. xliii:4j; strength-imparting in its blessing (Neh. 
viiino); fruit-bearing is its accompaniment (John xv : 
11); the Spirit is its power (Rom. xiv:i7; Gal. v:22); 
God is its sphere (Ps. xvi:ii; Rom. v:ii) ; Christ is its 
secret (1 Peter i :8) ; obedience is its minister (Acts 
viii 139) ; fellowship with the saints is its helper (Phile. 
20); and persecution is its feeder (Acts v 141 ; xiii:52). 
But the essential thing in all, is to keep the wire of 
faith in connection with the main office — the Lord 
Himself (Phil. iv:i). 

(3) Patience Comes Through Trial. "Tribulation work- 
eth patience" (Rom. v:3). The patience spoken of is 
not sullen indifference, but calm endurance. It means 
holding out under pressure, and continuance under trial. 
Patience is the evidence of spiritual life (Luke viiins), 
the companion of faith (2 Peter i:6), the precursor of 
happiness (Jas. v:ii — the word "endure" is rendered 
"patience" in Rom. xii:i2), the badge of love (1 Cor. 
xiii:7), the sign of the Spirit's strengthening (Col. 
i : 1 1 ) , the essential in the Christian race (Heb. xii:i), 
the acceptable offering (1 Peter ii:2o), and the test 
of faith (James L3). This grace, like every other, 
is found in the God of Patience (Rom. xv:5). 

(4) Power Comes Through Prayer. "Tarry * * * until 
ye be clothed with power" (Luke xxiv:49, R. V.). Upper 
room tarrying brought the Spirit's triumphs. If we 
trace the effects of prayer through the Acts, we find it 
was the inceptor of Pentecost (1:14), the obtainer of 
renewed blessing (iv:3i), the bringer of salvation 
(x:3i), the opener of the prison (xii:5), the introducer 
to missions (xiii 13) , ihe consoler in persecution (xvi: 
25), the comforter in sorrow (xx:36), the means of 
fellowship (xxi:5), and the healer of the body 
(xxviii:8). Prayer is not to be gauged by feeling, but 
by faithfulness; not by emotion but by promotion; not 
by noise, but by poise; not by words, but by worth; not 
by seeming effects, but by sanctified experience. 

****** ** 

There are three L's in which a heaven of blessing is 
found, namely: Lean hard upon Christ by faith (Can- 
ticles viii 15), Look up to Him by prayer (Psalm v:3), 
and Listen to Him by obedience (John x:2j). 



27 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Childhood of Jesus. 

"The Child Jesus" {Luke «.*43). 

A writer in a religious magazine, pictures a schoolboy 
exposed to the temptation of bad habits, pride, and dis- 
honesty, to whom one evening, a loving, gentle angel 
appeared, and showed him some pictures. "He looked 
upon a boy at play, a lad about his own age, surrounded 
by other youths. They were all strong and happy, and 
the music of their merry laughter and their shouts could 
almost be heard. But amongst them all that Boy was pre- 
eminent, for His was a beauty beyond theirs, and where 
He was there could be no quarrelling, nothing but good- 
tempered enjoyment of the game. The picture faded, and 
in its stead Charlie saw a group of scholars seated at the 
feet of their teacher, and again the One amongst them, 
with thoughtful brow, listening more attentively than 
they all. Another picture showed the same Boy in a work- 
shop, in ordinary dress, planing industriously a piece of 
wood, while the light streaming in at the open door shone 
on His face, and showed that, busy though He was, all 
His thoughts were moving in a higher sphere. Again, a 
picture showed Him with His mother, in happy, affection- 
ate talk. Again, another represented the same Boy kneel- 
ing alone, praying to His heavenly Father with reverence 
and perfect child-like trust. As the last picture faded 
there was silence. Charlie had often seen pictures of 
Jesus Christ before, but never one that showed Him as 
He really was." And on his birthday night he "prayed 
with all his heart, 'O God, help me to make my boyhood 
like Thine ; help me also to grow in favor with God and 
man.' " We have in Luke ii 144-52, seven pictures of the 
Lord Jesus in His childhood: 

(1) The Supposed Presence (verse 44) ; 

(2) The Sought Christ (verse 45) ; 

(3) The Attentive Scholar (verse 46) ; 

(4) The Precocious Boy (verse 47) ; 

28 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



(5) The Conscious Son (verse 49) ; 

(6) The Subjective Child (verse 51) ; 

(7) The Growing Lad (verse 52). 

Jesus was not only the Man of men, but the Boy of 
boys. He has passed through the experience of the latter, 
that He may help them in all their experiences. 



Children of God* 

"Called the Children of God, and such we are" (1 John 

R. V.). 

There are, as all the world knows (for it is a sharp and 
shrewd world), Christians who are "not summer, but 
winter painted green." Very disappointing are such 
Christians. Speaking of such, we may remind our read- 
ers of the boy who cried, "Hot mince-pies !" in the streets 
one frosty morning. A pedestrian, hearing the appetizing 
announcement, bought a pie ; but, on setting his teeth into 
it, found it cold as a snow-ball. "I say, you boy, what do 
you mean by calling these hot mince-pies?" "That's the 
name on 'em" replied the urchin. 

It may be difficult sometimes to tell the true from the 
pretended Christian ; but a little watching, a little touch- 
ing, reveals the difference. "Are all Smyrna rugs alike ?" 
asked a customer. "No," replied the shop-keeper; "some 
Smyrna rugs are Smyrna rugs; but most Smyrna rugs 
are not Smyrna rugs." 

The progressive steps of a child of God and the marks 
of those who are truly the Lord's, are seen in the follow- 
ing Bible study: 

The Word of God recognises there are two families — the 
children of God. and the chidren of the Wicked One. 
Tares and Wheat, Dead and Living, Saved and Lost, 
Bound ?nd Redeemed, out of Christ and in Him, Un- 
righteous and Righteous. 



29 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



We become the children of God on the Divine side by 
the New Birth, and on the Human side by receiving 
Christ (John i:i2, 13). 
The proofs of sonship are as follows: 
The constitution of sonship — life (John i : 13) . 
The right of sonship — grace: "He gave" (John i:i2, R. V.), 
The assurance of sonship — the Spirit (Romans viii:i6). 
The outcome of sonship — heirship (Romans viii 117). 
The trait of sonship — love (Eph. v:2), 
The proof of sonship — holiness (Eph. v:8), 
The power of sonship — blamelessness (Phil, ii : 15) , 
The evidence of sonship — obedience (1 Peter L14), 
The calling of sonship — named "children" (1 John iii:i). 
And the manifestation of sonship — likeness (1 John iii:io). 

The nature which makes us God's children shows itself 
in the likeness we bear to the Lord. "After its kind" 
is a fact in grace as well as in Nature. 

Christ Crucified, the Theme of the 
Preacher. 

"We preach Christ crucified" (1 Cor. i:2S). 

Will you listen to the concessions of a Unitarian on the 
great truth of Christ's atonement? Thomas Starr King, 
a Unitarian, said: "The doctrine of the vicarious atone- 
ment is embodied by the holiest memories, as it has been 
consecrated by the loftiest talent of Christendom. It fired 
the fierce eloquence of Tertullian in the early Church, and 
gushed in honied periods from the lips of Chrysostom; it 
enlisted the life-long zeal of Athanasius to keep it pure; 
the sublimity of it fired every power, and commanded all 
the resources of the mighty soul of Augustine ; the learn- 
ing of Jerome, and the energy of Ambrose, were comr 
mitted to its defence; it was the text for the subtle eye 
and analytic thought of Aquinas; it was the pillar of 
Luther's soul, toiling for man; it was shapen into intel- 
lectual proportions and systematic symmetry by the iron 
logic of Calvin ; it inspired the beautiful humility of Fen- 



30 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



elon ; fostered the devotion and self-sacrifice of Oberlin ; 
flowed like molten metal into the rigid forms of Edward's 
intellect, and kindled the deep and steady rapture of Wes- 
ley's heart. All the great enterprises of Christian history 
have been born from the influence, immediate or remote, 
which the vicarious theory of redemption has exercised 
upon the mind and heart of humanity." 

Preaching Christ crucified we shall find it will be — 

(1) A Convincer of sin, as seen on the Day of Pentecost 
(Acts ii 136, 37). 

(2) A Bringer of Blessing, as evidenced in the lame man 
and Peter's words (Acts iii:i3-i9). 

(3) ) A Means of Forgiveness, as Peter emphatically states 

(Acts v 129-31 ). 

(4) A Procurer of Joy, as witnessed in the result of the 
Eunuch's faith (Acts viii 129-39). 

(5) An Obtainer of the Spirit, as was made known to 
Cornelius and those in his house (Acts x 139-44). 

(6) A Medium of Justification, as Paul declared at Antioch 
(Acts xiii:38, 39). 

(7) An Imparter of Responsibility, as the Apostle intimates 
to the elders at Ephesus, when He charges them to care 
for Christ's purchased possession (Acts xx:28). 

******** 

Christ crucified is the greatest theme in the universe, 
for it proclaims the greatest work ever performed by the 
greatest Person, and securing the greatest ends possible. 



Christ Pre-eminent. 

"Not I, but Christ {Gal. ii:2o). 

"As you grow in your art," said Gounod to a young 
poet, "You will judge the great masters of the past, as I 
now judge the great musicians of former times. At your 
age I used to say, "I;" at twenty-five, I said "I and 
Mozart ;" at forty. "Mozart and I ;" now I say "Mozart." 



31 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



The same thing is illustrated in the life of the believer 
who is growing in grace. 

At first the cry is, "What must / do" (Acts xvi:3o), 
Then "that I may be found in Christ" (Phil, iiirp), 
Then "Christ liveth in me" (Gal. ii:2o), 
And lastly, "Christ is all" (Col. iii:ii). 

******** 

"Christ is our highest Orpheus, whose sphere-melody, 
flowing in wild, native tones, took captive the ravished 
souls of men, and still modulates and Divinely leads 
them." 



Christ's Atonement. 

"The life of the flesh is the blood, and I have given it to 
you upon the altar, to make an atonement for your 
souls : for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for 
the soul" {Lev. xvii:ii). 
Sir Walter Scott makes one of his characters, Old Mor- 
tality, to be occupied in re-chiselling the inscriptions on 
the tombstones of the Covenanters. Annually the old man 
visited the graves of the men who had laid down their 
lives for the sake of Christ and the Covenant, and re- 
moved the moss and dirt that might have gathered on 
their monuments. We may do something similar with the 
chisel of the pen in reproducing those epitaphs which 
speak of the "unseen things." 

In Bunhill Fields cemetery there is the following epi- 
taph on the tomb of an infant: "In memory of Westfield 
Lilley, son of Westfield and Sarah Lilley, who died June 
2nd, 1798, aged one year and ten months. 
"Bold Infidelity, turn pale and die, 
Under this stone an Infant's ashes lie. 

Say, — Is it Lost or Saved? 
If Death's by sin, it sinned, for it lies here ; 
If heaven* s by works, in Heaven it can't appear. 
Ah, reason, how deprav'd! 
Revere the Bible! (sacred page) the knot's unty'd; 
It died, through Adam's sin; it lives, for Jesus died." 



32 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



"Jesus died!" In the fact of Christ's atonement, as 
may be found in the following Scriptures, we find 

The antidote for sin's ill (Rom. v:8), 
The severance from sin's authority (Rom. vi:io, II). 
The remover of sin's condemnation (Rom. viii:34). 
The motive for Christly action (Rom. xiv:i5), 
The separator from self's aggrandisement (2 Cor. v:i4~ 
16, R. V.), 

And the promise of coming glory (1 Thess. iv:i4; v:io). 

Christ's atonement is the expression of God's love in 
dealing with sin, and it is the extinguishing power to put 
it out. The fire of heaven consumes the flame of hell. 



Christ's Blood of Blessing. 

'The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all 
sin" (1 John 

In the autobiography of the martyred James Chalmers, 
he recounts what gave him peace; he says: "I was 
pierced through and through with conviction of sin, and 
felt lost beyond all hope of salvation. Mr. Meikle came 
to my help, and led me kindly to promises and to light; 
and, as he quoted 'The blood of Jesus Christ His Son 
cleanseth us from all sin/ I felt that this salvation was 
possible for me, and some gladness came to my heart. 
After a time light increased, and I felt that God was 
speaking to me in His Word, and I believed unto sal- 
vation." 

What a number have found, in the statement of fact 
that the blood of Christ cleanseth from sin, a furnisher of 
blessing. 

(1) Verily His atoning blood is a sin^remover (Heb. 
1x126), 

(2) a conscience-healer (Heb. xn-4), 

(3) a victory-provider (Rev. xii:ii), 

(4) a blessing-procurer (1 Cor. x:i6), 



33 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



(5) a sin-killer (1 Peter i:i8, 19, R. V.), 

(6) a s elf -dis placer (Gal. ii:2o), 

(7) a world-separator (Heb. xiii:i2), 

(8) a love-inspirer (2 Cor. v:i4, 15). 

* * * H« * H« * # 

To be cleansed by Christ means more than to have the 
pimples removed from the face of the life, it means the 
purification of the heart's affection, so that the bad blood 
which caused the pimples is removed. 



Christ's Ci?oss. 

"The cross of Christ'' (Philippians m:i8). 

In the Apocryphal Gospel of Nicodemus, the believing 
thief who was crucified with Christ, is represented as 
entering Paradise, "a miserable figure, carrying the Sign 
of the Cross upon his shoulders.'" And seeing him, all 
the saints said to him, "Who art thou? for thy counten- 
ance is like a thief's? And why dost thou carry a cross 
on thy shoulders ?" In answer to them he said : "Truly 
have ye said that I was a robber and a thief in the world, 
doing all sorts of evil upon the earth. And for all these 
things the Jews crucified me along with Jesus. * * * 
And He gave me the sign of the cross, saying, 'Walk into 
Paradise carrying this.' " 

We have no sympathy with a material cross, but we 
Iiave the profoundest reverence for the glorious media- 
torial significance of the cross, for by "the blood of the 
-cross" 

Christ has made peace for us (Col. 1:20). 

Has taken away the hindering law of ceremonies (Col. 

ii 114) , 

Reconciled Jew and Gentile to Himself (Eph. ii:i6). 
Through His "being obedient unto the death of the cross" He 
has reached the highest place in glory (Phil. ii:9). 



34 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



And believers find in the cross of Christ the power and 
wisdom of God (i Cor. i:i8), therefore we may well 
glory in it (Gal. vi:i4). 

s{s sjs ^js ^s sK sje sfs 

The heart cf Christ beat in sympathy for the world in 
the past eternity, and it broke in sacrifice for the world in 
time on the cross. 

Christ's Example. 

"I have given you an Example" {John xiii :i5)- 
Huxley once wrote the following confession: — "No 
human being, and no society composed of human beings, 
ever did or ever will come to much unless their conduct 
was governed and guided by ethical ideal !" 

Where shall we find the highest example of "ethical 
ideal?" In Christ, and in Him alone, for He, as He Him- 
self says, left us an example for our following. 

He is our Example in love (John xiii 134). 

In humility (Phil. ii:5-8). 

In self-denial (Rom. xv:2). 

In helping each other (1 John iii:i4-i7). 

In suffering wrongfully (1 Peter ii:2i). 

In serving each other (John xiii 115). 

And in testimony (John xvii:i8). 

"Christ is that ideal character present to the world in 
Christianity, which, through all the changes of the cen- 
turies, has filled the hearts of men with an impassioned 
love." 

Christ's Example, or "In His Steps". 

"Follow Me" {John xii:26). 
An old Chinese woman, who had been brought to 
Christ, brought her ancestral tablet to the missionary, 
who had been the means of her conversion, and re- 
quested that it might be burnt. The missionary re- 
sponded to the request. A further request was made re- 
garding the pot, in which the ashes of the ancestors were 
preserved, that it might be destroyed. The missionary 
suggested that the pot might do service to keep a plant in. 



35 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



"No," said the woman, after thinking for a few min- 
utes, "it belongs to the devil, and all that's connected 
with him must be destroyed." Whereupon she picked 
the pot up, and going outside the missionary's house, 
dashed it against the wall, and began, to sing in a 
cracked voice: 

"Follow, follow, I will follow Jesus, 
Anywhere, everywhere, I will follow on." 

Following Christ is no child's play. Let us note some 
of the places to which He went, and see how they cor- 
respond to us as we follow Him. Following Christ we 
shall 

■ (i) Go beneath the waters of Jordan's judgment upon the 
self-life (Matthew iii:i5; John xii -.24-26) ; 

(2) We shall tread the wilderness of temptation (Matt, 
iv :i ; 1 Peter iv :i2) ; 

(3) We shall traverse the hill of Nazareth's persecution 
(Luke iv:29; John xv:i8); 

(4) We shall encounter the Simon of misunderstanding 
(Luke vii:39; 11 Corinthians vi :g) ; 

(5) We shall pass through the Gethsemane of sorrow 
(Hebrews x:7; 11 Corinthians xii :8) ; 

(6) We may have to stand in the Gabbatha of scorn and 
suffering (John xix:i3; 1 Corinthians iv 19-13); 

(7) And we shall go to the Golgotha of crucifixion (John 
xix:i7; Gal. ii:2o). 

But everyone of these places has its compensation, for the 
"opened heaven" follows Jordan (Matt. iii:i6; Heb. 
x:i9); triumph is found in the wilderness (Luke iv:i3, 
14; Revelation iii:2i), peace follows persecution (John 
x 139-42; XVL33), faith grows stronger by trusting when 
misunderstood (Hebrews xii:2, 3; 1 Peter iii:i6), angelic 
ministry is exercised in Gethsemane (Luke xxii 143 ; 11 
Corinthians xii :g), reward comes to the endurer of suf- 
fering (Heb. ii 19-11 ; 11 Timothy ii : 12) , and glory is the 
outcome of Calvary's gory path (Luke xxiv:26; Rom. 
viii:i7 s 18). 

To practice the precepts of the Christ in the ardour 
and willingness of love, we need the passion and poten- 
tiality of His sacrifical cross. The cross draws us to the 
Christ Who died on it, and the Christ makes any cross 
valuable. 

36 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Christ's Mastership. 

"For one is your Master, even Christ" (Matt xxiii'SS). 

There are six different Greek words in the New Tes- 
tament referring to our Lord that are translated "Mas- 
ter." One of these represents Kim as the Overseer, an- 
other the File Leader, another the Teacher, another the 
Despot, the fifth the Supreme Owner, and the sixth the 
Initiated One. These words imply that He is different 
from us, in each relation, as represented by His name, 
and Ave are different from Him. Each name implies that 
something is supplied to us, and something expected 
from us. The names imply that (i) He is responsible 
for all needed provision ; (2) it is our right and duty to 
look to Him for absolute guidance; (3) He is ready to 
fulfil His promise of instruction; (4) there must be 
complete submission to His will and command; (5) His 
rights as Owner can only be acknowledged by consecra- 
tion to His service; and (6) He, being the One Who is 
initiated in the things of God. can lead us into their 
secrets. He watches over us, He leads us, Fie instructs 
us, He is our supreme Lord, He owns us, for He pur- 
chased us with His blood, and 'loves to teach us. 

The following verses of Scriptures are where the dif- 
ferent words are found. 

The Overseer denotes Christ in His supreme authority, and 
is used of Him alone, and is only found in Luke's Gospel 
(Luke v:5; viii 124, 45; ix:33, 49; xvii:i3). 

The File Leader signifies Christ as the One Who leads and 
directs (Matthew xxiii:8). 

The Teacher represents Him as the Instructor. Judas used 
this word, but he never called Him "Lord" (Matthew 
xxvi:25, 49). 

The Despot speaks of Him as the One Who has absolute 
right and might (2 Tim. ii :2i ; 2 Pet. ii:i). 

The Owner suggests the thought of possession and authority 
(Luke xix:i6). The word is rendered "owners" in 
verse 33. 



37 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



The Initiated One r signifies Christ as the One Who is able 
to teach because He has been taught (Luke x 125 ; John 
xiii:i3, 14). 

Nothing is right in the life till Christ has the place of 
sovereignty in the heart. A Christ-possessed heart, 
means a Christ-reflected life. Only the Christ within 
can reproduce the Christ without. 



Ciirist's purpose in dying*. 

"He died for all, that * * * " (2 Corinthians v.15). 

Some time since, Mr. Arthur Hacker put forth his 
strength in a highly-imaginative illustration of Malory's 
"Morte d'Arthur," picturing "The Temptation of Sir 
Percival," when the knight sheathed in armour, with hel- 
met at his side, is seen seated in the enchanted wood, 
holding a wine-bowl in his hands, and having at his side 
a temptress, in the shape of a young but evil-looking 
woman. Close by Sir Percival is his good sword, the 
hilt of which forms a cross, and gazing at this he is re- 
called to a sense of his duty. 

There are many practical lessons we may learn from 
the cross of Christ. 

His death is the annuller of sin (Rom. villi), 

The displacer of self (11 Cor. v:i4, 15), 

The promoter of humility (Phil. ii:5-8). 

The leader to righteousness (1 Peter ii:24), 

The begetter of love (1 John iii:i6), 

The conqueror of Satan (Revelation xii:ii), 

And the harbinger of hope (1 Thessalonians iv:i6). 

■jfi.'jf.'jfi.-jf.-jf.'jf.'jf.'jp. 

Christ had a two-fold purpose in dying for us. He 
died to bring us to God in a lasting relationship, and He 
died to bring God to us in the sufficiency of His grace. 



38 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Christ's Substitutionary Death. 

"Christ suffered for sins once, the Righteous for the unright- 
eous" (i Pet. m:i8, r. v.). 
"My blood * * * shed for many unto the remission of sins" 
{Matt. xxvi:2&, k. v.). 

That master of evangelical thought, Dr. Dale, has put 
the subject in his own masterly way. He says: "In 
every province of human thought we ascertain the Facts 
first — make such of them — and try to explain them after- 
wards. We never deny the Facts because we find them 
inexplicable. Some of the Facts about which we are most 
certain, and with which we are most familiar, cannot be 
explained. We cannot, for example, explain why we 
see a mountain when the image of it is formed on the 
retina ; or why we hear a voice when vibrations are pro- 
duced in the ear by the percussion of atmospheric waves. 
Between the image on the retina and vision, between the 
vibrations in the ear and sound, there is a gulf which no 
speculation has ever been able to cross. The two classes 
of phenomena — the impression on the physical organ on 
the one hand, and consciousness on the other — are so 
remote from each other, so unlike, that the relation be- 
tween them cannot be traced. It may be that we shall 
find ourselves unable to give any account of the relation 
between the Death of Christ and the forgiveness of sin ; 
and yet the fact that the Death of Christ is the ground 
of forgiveness, may be so certain to us as to be a great 
power in life." 

As we think of the work of Christ on the cross in the 
broad outline of its comprehensiveness, it may be grouped 
under the following seven points : 

(i) The Death of Christ is Generative in its Life. "Ex- 
cept a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it 
abideth alone : but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit" 
(John xii:24). "The Son of Man must be lifted up" 
(John iii:i4). His death was a necessity; hence, the 
meaning and force of His "must," for had He not gone 
down into the dust of death, He would not have been 
able to communicate to us His life. His death is our 
life. 

39 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



The Death of Christ is Substitutive in its Work. 
Christ's own statement about the fact of His substitu- 
tionary work is conclusive and final. He says, in speak- 
ing of the great purpose for which He came into the 
World, that it was "to give His life a ransom for many" 
(Matthew xx:28). Dean Alford says of these words, 
they are "a plain declaration of the sacrificial and 
vicarious nature of the death of our Lord." 

The Death of Christ is Protective in its Grace. "Jesus, 
which delivered us from the wrath to come" (i Thes- 
salonians i:io). "We shall be saved from wrath through 
Him" (Romans v:9). "God hath not appointed us to 
wrath, but to obtain salvation through (r. v.) our 
Lord Jesus Christ" (i Thessalonians \:g). In these 
verses there is an impending doom hanging over the 
sinner, which is averted through the action of Another. 
Mark the sentence, "Through our Lord Jesus Christ." 
The sense of the "through" is "by means of" Him. 
How? Because the stroke of Jehovah has fallen upon 
Him, as we read in Isa. liii :8 : "For the transgression 
of My people was the stroke upon Him" (margin). 

The Death of Christ is Inductive in its Blessing. 
"Christ also suffered for sins once, the Righteous for 
the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God" (i 
Peter iii:i8, r. v.) He died to save us from hell and 
bring us to heaven; but what is of even greater mo- 
ment He died to bring us "to God;" or, as Rotherham 
renders it, "To introduce us to God." Yet there is 
more than introduction, there is induction, namely, bring- 
ing us to God and making us His children. Christ, in 
bringing us to God, brings us into the relationship of 
children, with all its privileges and responsibilities, and a 
great deal more. 

The Death of Christ is Formative in its Power. The 
Holy Spirit, in speaking of the believer being baptised 
into the death of Christ, speaks of it as that "Form of 
doctrine" (Rom. vi:i7). The figure is that of a mould 
into which the metal runs and is shaped by it. The 
heart and life of the child of God are to be formed by 
the death of Christ. The death of the cross is to be 
the death of sin ; and its munificent giving, its holy 
sacrifice, its Divine passion, its devoted service, its 
patient suffering, its self-effacement, and its God-glori- 
fying spirit are to be ours. 



40 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



(6) The Death of Christ is Inspirative in its Motive. _ The 
apostle, in speaking of the power which moved him in his 
life's service for Christ, says "The love of Christ con- 
straineth us; because we thus judge, that One died for 
all, therefore all died" (n Corinthians v:i4, r. v.) It 
was not love in a general sense which moved him, but 
the love as expressed in the death of His Lord. The 
fire which ignited his being was got from the altar of 
Christ's sacrifice. 

(7) The Death of Christ is Pro curative in its claim. The 
price which the Lord paid in order that He might pro- 
cure us for Himself was the shedding of His precious 
blood. The price of His purchase is the right by which 
He claims us for Himself. "Ye are not your own, for 
ye are bought with a price : therefore, glorify God in 
your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Cor. 
vi:i9, 20). The claim of His call upon the whole of 
our nature is based upon the purchased price He gave 
for us in His death. 

Sin has inoculated all mankind with its poison; but 
through identification with Christ's atonement, He, by 
the vitality of that death, transmits His life to us, and 
counteracts the virus. 



Christ's Verily' s. 

"Verily I say unto you" (Matt. v:iS). 

A little child, after praying her own little prayer by 
her bedside, was heard to say, "And now, dear Lord 
Jesus, I am waiting for You to speak to me." 

We, too often, are in too great a hurry, to hear what 
the Lord has to say to us. Would we know what He 
says to us in some particulars, then let us ponder, pray 
over, and practise the thirty 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



"Verily I say unto you's" of Matthew's Gospel (Matt. v:i8, 
26; vi:2, 5, 16; viii:io; x:i5, 23, 42; xi:ii; xiii:i7; xvi- 
•.28; xvii:2o; xviii 13, 13, 18; xix:23, 28; xxi:2i, 31; 
xxiii:36; xxiv :2, 34, 47; xxv:i2, 40, 45; xxvi, 13, 21, 34, 
and further see the double "Verilys" — "Verily, verily I 
say unto you" — in John's gospel. 

Christ's verities are backed by His verilys. The va- 
lidity of His verities make us sure of the virtue of His 
verilys. He says all that is worth saying, therefore, it is 
not for us to do any saying, but it is our wisdom to do 
all the believing. 



Christ, the Balm for every 111, 

"Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no Physician there?" 
(Jer. viii:22). 

A well-known author, in describing a conversation be- 
tween a doctor and clergyman, makes the doctor say : 
"You fight the devil from the inside, and I fight him from 
the outside. My chance is a poor one." 

"It would be, perhaps, if you were confined to outside 
remedies. But what an opportunity your profession gives 
you of attacking the enemy from the inside as well! 
And you have this advantage over us, that no man can 
say it belongs to your profession to say such things, and 
therefore disregard them." 

"Ah, Mr. Walton, I have too great a respect for your 
profession to dare to interfere with it. The doctor in 
'Macbeth,' you know, could 

'Not minister to a mind diseased, 
Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow, 
Purge out the written troubles of the brain, 
And with some sweet oblivious antidote 
Cleanse the stufY'd bosom of that perilous stuff 
Which weighs upon the heart.' " 



42 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



"What a memory you have ! But you don't think I can 
do that any more than you?" 

"Do you know the best medicine to give, anyhow. I 
wish I always did. But, you see, we have no theriaca 
now." 

"Well, we have. For the Lord says, 'Come unto Me, 
and I will give you rest.' " 

"There! I told you! That will meet all diseases." 

"Strangely, now there comes into my mind a line of 
Chaucer, with which I will make a small return for 
your quotation from Shakespeare ; you have mentioned 
theriaca ; and I, without thinking of this line, quoted our 
Lord's words. Chaucer brings the two together, for the 
word triacle is merely a corruption of theriaca, the un- 
failing cure for everything. 

'Christ, which that is to every harm triacle.' " 

Christ is the Rest for the weary (Matt. xi:28). 
Christ is the Life for the dead (John x:io). 
Christ is the Salvation for the lost (Luke xix:g). 
Christ is the Liberator for the bound (Luke iv:i8). 
Christ is the Cleansing for the polluted (i John i:7). 
Christ is the Holy One for the sinful (i Cor. L30). 
Christ is the All and in all (Col. iii:ii). 

The only cure for fallen humanity is Divinity. The 
Christ of God does not patch up humanity, but through 
His atoning blood pardons the sinner who receives Him, 
and makes him a new creature. 



Chi»ist 9 tlie Caretaker. 

"He careth for You"(i Pet. v:j). 

I could not help thinking the words were a good pillow 
upon which to rest as I retired to bed, for they reminded 
me of the watchfulness of His care. When I got up in 
the morning, the words were still proclaiming their mes- 
sage, and spoke of the preparedness of His care to meet 



43 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



the difficulties of the day ; hence they were a strengthen- 
ing cordial. As I went out to do the Lord's work feel- 
ing its responsibility, the words had yet another message, 
for they reminded me of the sufficiency of His care to 
meet needs. Hence, they were a gladsome encourager. 

Pondering the words still further, I could not help 
asking the question: "How does He care?" The follow- 
ing are some of the characteristcs of His care. 

(1) He cares for us, as a father cares for his child, pro- 
vidingly (Romans viii 132) . 

(2) As a mother cares for her offspring, affectionately 
(Isaiah xlixus). 

(3) As a gardener cares for his garden, attentively (Isaiah 
xxvii 13). 

(4) As the eye-lid cares for the eye, instantly (Deuteron- 
omy xxxiino). 

(5) As a friend cares for a friend, faithfully (Prov. xvii: 
17). 

(6) As a keeper cares for his charge, watchfully (Psalm 
cxxi 14-8) . 

(7) And as a banker cares for the treasure deposited with 
him, secretly (Col. iii:3). 

He who looks up to God in prayer will always find He 
looks down to provide for the need which prompts the 
the petition. 



Christ the Chiefest, or Better than 
the Best. 

'The chiefest" {Canticles v.16). 

One was asked whether he did not admire the admir- 
able structure of some stately building; "No" said he, 
"for I have been at Rome, where better are to be seen 
every day." So says the true-hearted believer when the 
fair and attractive things of earth are presented to him, 
and are compared with Christ. He is better than 



44 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



the best, and richer than the richest. Mark what the 
Holy Spirit says of the things which belong to Him. 

(1) His love is unknowable (Eph. iii:i9). 

(2) His riches are unsearchable (Eph. iii:8). 

(3) His joy is unspeakable (1 Peter i:8). 

(4) His ways are untrackable (Romans xi 133}- 

(5) His grace is inexhaustible (11 Cor. ix:8). 

(6) His peace is unfathomable (Philippians iv:7). 

(7) And He Himself is unsurpassable (Ex. xv:ii). 

The superlative of Christ's perfection is beyond all 
question, as one has said, "Christ is the mightiest among 
the holy, and the holiest among the mighty, who lifted 
with His pierced hands empires off their hinges, turned 
the 'stream of time into new channels, and still governs 
all the ages." 



Christ tSie Emancipator from Sin. 

"He looseth the prisoners" (Ps. cxlvi:7). 

A little fun at the Birmingham Post-office led to a re- 
markable sequel. Among the postal packets, was a parcel 
containing a pair of handcuffs, which were being sent 
from Derby to a manufacturer in Birmingham, to be 
fitted with a key. The paper covering of the package 
had, during transit, been badly torn, with the result that 
when the handcuffs reached the Birmingham sorting- 
office, they were exposed to view. They were an object 
of curiosity, and presently one of the clerks jocularly 
clasped one of the cuffs round the wrist of his left hand. 
To his dismay, there was no key to unfasten it, and he, 
therefore, went to the central police-station. Here a key 
was found, but, as the officer was turning it, it broke off 
in the cuff. The situation, at first comical, had now be- 
come really serious. The broken key would have to be 
drilled out, or the handcuff filed through, before the clerk 



45 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



could be released from his unpleasant encumbrance. But 
it was Sunday, and no place of business was open. The 
clerk therefore returned to the post-office and explained 
his plight to his superintendent, by whom he was ordered 
to go to Derby by the first train the next morning, ex- 
plain the whole circumstances to the owner of the hand- 
cuff, and apologise ; and then return to Birmingham, and 
proceed to the manufacturer and have the handcuff taken 
off. 

Sinners often play with sin, like the man with the 
handcuffs, and find presently they are unable to give 
it up, for it has got them, and holds them firmly in its 
grasp, until a power outside of themselves gives them 
release. 

Christ is the Great Emancipator. He delivers from the 

penalty of sin by His atoning death (i Peter ii 124) . 
He delivers from the power of sin by His risen power 

(Colossians ii:i2, 13). 
He delivers from the pollution of sin by His in-dwelling 

presence (John xv '.4, 5). 
He delivers from the pauperism of si)i by the riches of His 

Grace (Ephesians ii:/). 
He delivers from the pleasure of sin by the pleasures in 

His right hand (Psalm xvini, r. v.). 
He delivers from the principle of sin by His operating love 

(1 John iii:6). 

And He will deliver from the presence of sin at His glorious 
return (Phil, iii :20, 21). 

He who plays with sin will find that sin will not play 
with him. It will hold and hurt. Then Christ alone can 
heal and deliver. 



Christ, the Fortress. 

"The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress" (2 Sam. xxii\2). 

In carrying on a war, the first thing wanted is a 
strong castle to retreat to. When the Duke of Welling- 
ton entered on the famous Peninsular Campaign, in 



46 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



which he drove Bonaparte's armies back to France, he 
built a stupendous fortification at Torres Vedras forty 
miles in circuit. Six hundred cannon were mounted on 
150 towers; while every jutting rock bristled with wea- 
pons of defence. No such fortress was ever seen before. 
Massena, the French general, thought he was sure of 
Wellington and his troops, and came down with 80,000 
men, like a whirlwind, expecting to drive them all into 
the sea. All at once they saw before them this appalling 
entrenchment stretching right across their path. Im- 
mediately they came to a halt, while their general rode 
to-and-fro for days in hope of finding some weak point 
at which he might enter. But all in vain. Torres Vedras 
was impregnable. He shook his head, and with shame 
gave orders for a retreat. 

Now, the Lord is our "Torres Vedras" — our Fortifi- 
cation. No weapon formed against this Fortress can 
prosper. In it we may hold out against a siege for a 
whole lifetime. Iniquity shall never be our ruin if we do 
but cleave to Christ, for He is the 

(1) Strong Fortress for safety in time of peril (2 Sam. 
xxii 12) ; 

(2) Sheltering Fortress for preservation from our enemies 
(Ps. xviii \2) ; 

(3) Sure Fortress to keep from perplexity and doubt (Ps. 
xxxi 13) ; 

(4) Settled Fortress for habitation (Ps. lxxi:3>; 

(5) Supreme Fortress for excellence, for none can do, or 
be, like Him (Ps. xci \2) ; 

(6) Suitable Fortress, for He can meet the need of each 
and all (Ps. cxliv : 2) ; 

(7) Succouring Fortress in the time of affliction (Jer. 
xvi :i9). 

******** 

Christ is our hiding and abiding place. Hiding in Him 
is our safety and peace ; and abiding in Him is our sancti- 
fication and satisfaction. 



47 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Christ, the Keeper. 



"Unto Him that is able to keep you from falling" (Jude 24). 

The natives of India used to say that when Sir Henry 
Lawrence looked twice to heaven, and then to earth, he 
knew what to do. The 121st Psalm stands out in striking 
contrast to the previous one, where the Psalmist is in 
distress and loneliness, as he is surrounded by enemies. 
But now we find him rising from the earth and his owfl 
despair to the height of the Lord's preserving care. Like 
the brave general above named, he knows what to do, 
for the Lord is his Constant Keeper. The Lord is seen 
in no less than nine different characters. We behold Him 
as the Almighty Helper (verse 2) ; as the Sure Upholder 
(verse 3) ; as the Constant Keeper (verse 3) ; as the 
Vigilant Watchman (verse 4) ; as the Assuring Pre- 
server (verse 5) ; as the Sheltering Protector (verses 5 
and 6) ; as the Absolute Guardian (verse 7) ; as the Per- 
sonal Sustainer (verse 7) ; and as the Unfailing Friend. 

(1) Almighty ^ Helper (verse 2). If we look to the mar- 
ginal reading of verse 1, he asks the question, "Shall I 
look to the hills?" but comes to the conclusion that his 
help comes from Him who made the hills. 

(2) Sure Upholder (verse 3). "He will not suffer thy foot 
to be moved." 

(3) Constant Keeper (verse 3). "He that keepeth thee 
will not slumber." 

(4) Vigilant Watchman (verse 4). "He that keepeth 
Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep." 

(5) Assuring Preserver (verse 5). "The Lord is thy 
Keeper." 

(6) Sheltering Protector (verses 6 and 7). "The Lord is 
thy Shade," &c. 

X7) Absolute Guardian (verse 7, R. V.). "The Lord shall 
keep thee from all evil." 

48 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

(8) Personal Sustainer (verse 7). His personal thought 
of us in our personal need is seen if we ponder the 
seven "Thys" and three "Thees," all of which are 
wrapped up in "He shall keep thy soul." 

(9) Unfailing Friend (verse 7). "The Lord shall keep 
* * * for evermore" (r. v.) 

Christ keeps us for Himself from the world ; He keeps 
us in Himself from sin ; He keeps us by Himself from 
Satan ; and He keeps us with Himself for fellowship. 



Christ, the Lifter-T7p. 

"Thou hast lifted me up" (Ps. xxxii). 

The biographer of Bismarck says of him. "Bismarck al- 
ways disliked England and everything English ; naturally 
from his point of view, for the constitutional monarchy 
and parliamentary system were in irreconcilable antipathy 
to his whole theory of government. The two systems are 
in fact the negation of each other. The British system is 
an expansion of that noble verse in the 'Te Deum :' 'Gov- 
ern them and lift them up for ever.' The true end of gov- 
ernment is always to lift up the governed. The despotic 
idea of goverment is just the reverse: 'Govern them and 
keep them down for ever.' Of that idea Bismarck was 
the most perfect incarnation of our era, and naturally, 
therefore, Britain was always to him an object of intense 
dislike." Certainly the lifting up is the Christian act, for 
practical Christianity is a lifting up of the whole being. 

Christ is ever doing what He did to Peter's wife's mother, 
of whom we read. "He came, and took her by the 
hand, and lifted her up" (Mark 1:31). 

The Lord is the "Lifter-up." This is one of His titles (Ps. 
iii:3). 

He lifts up from the dunghill of sin, and sets us among 
the princes of His power (1 Sam. ii:8). 

He lifts up from the gates of death's despair, and makes 
us partakers of His life (Ps. ix:i3). 



49 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

He lifts us up from the hatred of our enemies and keeps us 

in safety (Ps. xviii:48, xxvii :6, xxx:i). 
He lifts up those who are in the enemy's power, and makes 

them free in His liberty (Mark ix:27); 
And He lifts us up in the time of our weakness, and makes 

us strong for His service. 

Love's siftings often precede His liftings. He sifts 
to get rid of the chaff, and He lifts to gladden our»hearts. 



Christ: The Precious One. 

"Unto you therefore who believe He is precious" (i Pet. ii:?). 

"Christ is precious, is He not?" I said to an aged saint, 
who was very feeble and ill; in fact, she was wandering 
a good deal, as we could tell by her incoherent talk; but 
the mention of Christ's name touched a responsive chord 
in her nature, for she immediately replied: "He is pre- 
cious, if we make Him so." 

The benefit of anything is the use we make of it. It 
is the bread we eat which satisfies our hunger, and not 
the bread in the baker's shop. It is the money which 
is invested that gains interest, and not that which the 
miser hoards up. 

The same is true with regard to spiritual things. 

It is the hand of the diligent which maketh rich (Prov. 

x:4). 

Those who take the water of life get their soul-thirst 
quenched, and their soul's need met (Rev. xxii:i7). 

Those who receive Christ are made the children of God to 
their eternal making (John i:i2.) 

Those who believe on Christ possess eternal life to their 
own joy and peace (John iii 136 ) . 

Those who obey Christ show that they are His by their 
obedience, to their assurance and power (John x:27). 

Those who hearken to Christ are they upon whom condemn- 
ation shall never come (John v.24). 

Those who surrender to Christ by whole-hearted consecra- 
tion, are those to whom He surrenders Himself to their 
comfort (Song of Sol. ii:i6). 



50 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

Those who lean on the Beloved by prayerful trust, find He 
gives them the consciousness of His love to their tri- 
umph (Song of Sol. viii:5); 

And those who v/alk with Him in the hour of strife, find 
He honors them in making them walk with Him in 
white to their honor (Rev. iii:4). 

Christ is not only precious apart from us, but to us 
is the preciousness (see R. V. Margin of I Pet. 11:7), for 
He imparts Himself to us. 



Christ: The Rest-Giver. 

"Come unto Me * * * I will give you rest" (Matt. xi:28). 

In Newport Church, in the Isle of Wight, lies buried 
the Princess Elizabeth (daughter of Charles the First). 
A marble monument, erected by Queen Victoria, records 
in a touching way, the manner of her death. She lan- 
guished in Carisbrook castle during the wars of the Com- 
monwealth — a prisoner, alone and separated from all the 
companions of her youth, till death set her free. She was 
found dead one day, with her head leaning on her Bible, 
and the Bible open at the words, "Come unto Me, all ye 
that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest/' 
The monument in Newport Church records this fact. It 
consists of a female figure reclining her head upon a 
marble book, with the text engraven on it. 

She had found, as many another has found, that Christ, 
and Christ alone, is the One who can give rest. 

He gives rest from a guilty conscience, through faith in 
His precious atonement, "for He has put away sin by the 
sacrifice of Himself (Heb. 1x126). 

He gives rest from fear of judgment, for there is "no con- 
demnation to them who are in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 
viii :i). 

He gives rest from the fear of death, for by His death He 
has rendered powerless him who had the authority of 
death (Heb. ii : 14) . 



51 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



He gives rest from anxiety, as we are careful for nothing, 
thankful for anything, and prayerful in everything 
(Phil. iv:6, 7). 

He gives rest from the evil of unbelief, as we are diligent 

to enter unto His rest (Heb. iv:3). 
He gives rest from a disturbing heart, as we are found 

yoked with Him in the will of God (Matt, xi :2Cj) ; 
And He gives rest from defeat, as we are environed with His 

presence, for His rest is on every side (2 Chron. xiv:7). 
.Who would not have this many-sided blessing of rest? 

Come and rest. Take His yoke and be blest. Believe 

and enter into His rest. 
Rest, weary soul ! 

The penalty is borne, the ransom paid, 

For all thy sins full satisfaction made ! 

Strive not to do thyself what Christ has done, 

Claim the free gift, and make the joy thine own; 

No more by pangs of guilt and fear distrest. 
Rest, sweetly rest ! 

**** **** 

To rest in Christ is be rested. The rest of faith brings 
the restedness of blessing. 



Christ the Rise of Fall of all. 

"This Child is set for the falling and rising again of many" 
(Luke 11:34). 

Trapp says, "Nothing so cold as lead, yet nothing so 
scalding if molten ; nothing more blunt than iron, and 
yet nothing so keen if sharpened; the air is soft and 
tender, yet out of it are engendered thunderings and 
lightnings ; the sea is calm and smooth, but if tossed with 
tempests it is rough beyond measure. Thus it is that 
mercy abused turns to fury; God, as He is a God of 
mercies, so He is a God of judgment; and it is a fearful s 
thing to fall into His punishing hands. He is loath to 
strike ; but when He strikes, He strikes home. If His 
wrath be kindled but a little, yea, but a little, woe be to 
all those upon whom it lights ; how much more when He 
is sore displeased with a people or a person ?" 



52 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Christ is one of two things t"> all. He is either the Stone 
on which we are broken to penitence and salvation, or 
He is the Stone to grind in pieces to punishment and 
condemnation (Luke xx:i8). 

The pillar of cloud was light to Israel and darkness to the 
Egyptians (Ex. xiv :2o) 4 

The ways of the Lord are to walk in for our blessing, 
or ways to stumble in to our hurt (Hosea xiv:(p). 

God is a Consuming Fire to purify His people (Mai. iii:3), 
and a Burning Fire to scorch His enemies (Mai. iv:i-6). 

Christ is life to those who receive Him (John iii 136) , while 
He is wrath to those who reject Him (Rev. vi:i6). 

Christ is the Chief Corner Stone to those who rest on Him 
in faith for salvation (1 Pet. ii:6), while He is a Stone 
of Stumbling to those who will not have Him (1 Pet. 
ii:8>. 

Christ is precious to those who believe (1 Pet. ii:7), while 

He is despised by those who neglect Him (Isa. llii 13 ) - 
When Christ comes He brings eternal rest for His people, 

but He gives eternal destruction to those who have not 

obeyed the gospel (2 Thess. i:6-8). 
Has not all this a voice for us? Offended mercy is very 

wroth. 

******** 

Men's misconceptions of truth arise from a misappre- 
hension of Christ. If we would know the truth about 
Him, we must know Him about Whom the truth speaks. 



Christ: The Sin-Bearer. 

"He bore our sins" (1 Pet. 11:24). 

A missionary in charge of one of the native 
Churches in China, was examining a number of candi- 
dates for Christian baptism. After having put sun- 
dry questions to a woman who had applied for Church 
membership, he asked, "Had Jesus sin?' (This is one of 
the questions in the Catechism, which enquirers are en- 
couraged to learn. The book, of course, gives a negative 
answer.) Somewhat to the missionary's astonishment, 
she replied, "Yes." The question was repeated in a way 



53 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



likely to elicit a negative reply, but she answered em- 
phatically, "Lie had sin." The candidate was next asked 
if he (the examiner) had sin, to which she rather hesi- 
tatingly replied, "No." The missionary soon put her 
right on that point, and further asked how it came about 
that Jesus, the great living God of heaven, could have 
sin. "Why, He had mine!" was the unhesitating reply. 
I fancy that our friend, just won from heathenism, was a 
deeper theologian than the missionary at first thought. 
True, she could not read her Bible, but she knew that 
"The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all," and 
that He "bare our sins in His own body on the tree." 

"Yes, all the griefs He felt were ours, 

Ours were the woes He bore ; 
Pangs, not His own, His spotless soul 

With bitter anguish tore. 

"He died to bear the guilt of men, 

That sin might be forgiven ; 
He lives to bless them, and defend, 

And plead their cause in heaven." 

(1) Declaration. — "Christ died for our sins according to 
the Scriptures" (i Cor. xV.3). 

(2) Consternation. — "Our sins testify against us" (Is. 
Hx:i2). See also Neh. ix:37; Dan. ix:i6. 

(3) Propitiation. — "Propitiation for our sins" (1 John 
li :2). 

(4) Manifestation. — "He was manifested to take away 
our sins" (1 John iii:5). 

(5) Identification. — "When He had by Himself, or for 
Himself (representatively), purged our sins" (Heb. 1:3). 

(6) Emancipation. — "Loosed us from our sins by His 
own blood" (Rev: 1:5, R. V.). 

(7) Separation. — "Gave Himself for our sins, that He 
might deliver us out of this present evil world" (Gal. 
i:4). 

Relying on the finished work of Christ we are safe, 
responding to His Word we are sure, and resting in His 
will we are happy. 

54 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Christ, the Unchangrini^ One. 

"Jesus Christ the same" (Heb. xiii.S). 

An incident was related by Schuyler Colfax regarding 
Abraham Lincoln. It was during the dark days of 1863, 
on the evening of a public reception given at the White 
House. The foreign legations were there gathered about 
the President. 

A young English nobleman was just being presented 
to the President. Inside the door, evidently overawed by 
the splendid assemblage, was an honest-faced old farmer, 
who shrank from the passing crowd until he and the 
plain faced old lady, clinging to his arm, were pressed 
back to the wall. The President, looking over the heads 
of the assembly, said to the English nobleman: "Excuse 
me, my lord, there's an old friend of mine." 

Passing backward to the door, Mr. Lincoln said, as he 
grasped the old farmer's hand : "Why, John, I'm glad to 
see you. I haven't seen you since you and I made rails 

for old Mrs. , in Sangamon county, in 1847. How are 

you?" 

The old man turned to his wife with quivering lips, 
and without replying to the President's salutation, said: 
"Mother, he's just the same old Abe!" 

So say we of Christ. 

His love is the same, for it is "everlasting" (Jer. xxxi:3). 
His keeping is the same, for it is constant (1 Pet. i:s). 
His power is the same, for it is enduring (Heb. xiii :5 ) . 
His ministry is the same, for "He ever liveth" (Heb. vii:25). 
His pleasures are- the same, for they are lasting (Ps. xvi:ii). 
His promises are the same, for they are sure (2 Cor. 1:20). 
He Himself is the same, for He is immutable (Mai. iii:6). 

*f* ^f* *fc 5^ 5fc 

The Best Way to look at God's dark providences is to 
look through them, and see the bright and sympathetic 
Face of the watching Friend on the other side. 



55 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Clouds. 

"The clouds are the dust of His feet" (Nahum 1:3). 

Clouds and no sunshine are good for cyclists. There 
were not more than five or six hours of sunshine during 
the time I was cycling to London. The heavens were 
overshadowed with clouds, and yet there was only one 
sharp and short shower. The cloudiness of the weather 
had its distinct advantages, for there is nothing so fatigu- 
ing as the sun scorching down upon one when cycling. 
There are many angel faces seen in the clouds, as the ar- 
tist realized when he painted the famous picture entitled 
"Cloudland," which seems at first sight to be only a mass 
of clouds, but on closer observation, angel faces are seen 
looking out upon you. The following are a few of the 
things which we may find in the clouds of life. 

(1) The bow of promise (Gen. 1x113); 

(2) The glory of the Lord's presence (Ex. xvi:io); 

(3) The rain of His blessing (1 Kings xviii 144) ; 

(4) The covering of His protection (Ps. cv:39); 

(5) The strength of His power (Ps. lxviii 134) ; 

(6) The dew of His grace (Prov. iii :2o) ; 

(7) And the word of His testimony (Ps. xcix:7; Matt, 
xvii :5). 

Clouds are not clogs to hinder us, they are bringers 
of showers to bless us. 



Commendation's Ministry. 

"I praise you" (1 Cor. xi:2). 

"In those books, Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch 
and Lovey Mary, I find a woman who always wore the 
garment of praise. Mrs. Wiggs went about seeking to 
eulogise, embodying the very spirit of her Master. When 
Lovey Mary was leaving the Cabbage Patch, she said, 
'You all bluffed me into being good. You began to 



56 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



brag about me, and then I wanted to be good more than 
anything in the world.' Mrs. Wiggs had done it. And 
she did it also with her children. 'I have always found 
compliments better than switches.' " 

The Apostle Paul often found it essential to rebuke the 
saints, but he was never forgetful to remember their 
good points. 

He could "thank God" that the "faith" of the saints in 
Rome was "spoken of" (Rom. i :8) ; 

He appreciated the fact that the saints in Corinth came 
"behind in no gift," and were found "waiting for the 
coming of the Lord Jesus" (i Cor. 1:7) ; 

Although Paul had sharp words to say to the Galatian 
saints because of their legal spirit, he none the less 
recognized they "did run well" (Gal. v 7) ; 

He thanked God for the "fellowship in the gospel" of the 
saints at Philippi, and was confident of their continu- 
ance, and was encouraged by their prayers (Phil, 
i :3-6, 19) ; 

He could praise God because he had "heard of" the "faith 
in Christ" of the Lord's people at Colosse, and of their 
"love to all the saints" (Col. 1:4) ; 

His thankfulness is most pronounced as he contemplates 
"the work of faith, the labor of love, and patience of 
hope" of the Thessalonian believers (1 Thess. 1:3); 

And he was moved and grateful for Timothy's sympathetic 
"tears," and for Philemon's "prayer" (2 Tim. 1:4; 

Philemon 22). 

To be an encourager of God's saints is to be a helper 
indeed and in need, but to be a damper to discourage 
His people is to join hands with him who ever seeks to 
hinder the saints. 



Concentration. 

"This one thing" (Phil. m;8-i4). 

Mr. Spurgeon once related how in going through the 
famous factory at Sevres he noticed an artist painting a 
very beautiful vase. He says : "I looked at him, but he 



57 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



did not look at me. His eyes were better engaged than 
in staring at a stranger. There were several persons at 
my heels, and they all looked and made observations, yet 
the worker's eye never moved from his work. He had 
to paint the picture upon that vase, and what benefit 
would he get from noticing us, or from our noticing 
him? He kept to his work. YVe would fain see such ab- 
straction and concentration in every man who has the 
Lord's work to do. 'This one thing I do.' Some frown, 
some smile, but 'this one thing I do.' Some think they 
could do it better, but 'this one thing I do.' How they 
could do it may be their business, but it certainly is not 
mine. Remember it does not matter much about its ap- 
pearing to be a somewhat small and insignificant affair, 
for as much skill may be displayed in the manufacture of 
a very minute watch as in the construction of the town 
clock; in fact, a minute object may become the object of 
greater wonder than another of larger dimensions." 

Concentration is the secret of success in anything, but 
especially in the Christian life. The "one thing" of Paul's 
concentration, like the hub in which the spokes of the 
wheel are held, centralises many things. The following 
seven things are in the hub of the ''one thing:" 

(1) The "7 count" of renunciation (verse 8) ; 

(2) The "I may" of acquisition (verse 10) ; 

(3) The "I * * * knozv" of initiation (verse 10) ; 

(4) The "7 might" of elevation (verse 11) ; 

(5) The "I folloixf 3 of determination (verse 12) ; 

(6) The "I do" of concentration (verse 13) ; 
and (7) the "1 press" of consecration (verse 14). 



To concentrate one's being on Christ is to be conse- 
crated to Him, for concentration is the soul of consecra- 
tion. When the heart is occupied with Him. the heart is 
occupied by Him. 



58 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Conditions Fulfilled: Blessing* As- 
sured. 

"If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the 
land" (Is. i:ig). 

"I wish I 'ad them," said a little ragged maiden, as 
she stood looking into a shop window, which was radiant 
with exquisite jewels, and pointed to a cluster of 
wondrous beauty. These words she uttered to her 
brother, who was standing with protective arm around 
her. 

I have heard believers in Christ wish they had certain 
blessings of the Gospel, but thev fail to get them, because 
they fail to exercise the grace of faith. 

The blessing of purity comes to those who have the in- 
dwelling Christ (Eph. iii:i6, 17) ; 

The jewel of power is possessed by those who are possessed 
by Christ, the power of God, through waiting upon Him 
(1 Cor. 1:24; Acts i 14) ; 

The jewel of peace is enjoyed by those who are careful for 
nothing, prayerful in everything, and thankful for any- 
thing (Phil, iv :6, 7) ; 

The jewel of patience is obtained by looking to and follow- 
ing the Lord Jesus (Heb. xii : 1, 2; xi:i3) ; 

The jewel of perception comes to those who are taught by 
the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. ii:io: Eph. L17, 18); 

The jewel of principle operates in those who are ruled by 
the truth (Ps. cxix 129, 30) ; 

And the jewel of progress belongs to those who grow in 
grace (2 Pet. iii :i8). 



Some seek blessings that they may have the comfort of 
the blessings they seek, and they miss it; while others are 
found in the path of obedience, and find that the blessing 
of the Lord seeks and finds them. 



5.9 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Conditions Fulfilled: Blessing* Se- 
cured. 

"If * * * ye shall" (Isa. i.ip). 

The following notice was put on a corridor dining car 
of a Midland train: "This carriage is intended only for 
the use of passengers desiring to lunch on the journey/' 
The diners had an advantage over the non-diners. The 
only condition for the more comfortable carriage w T as the 
payment for the lunch. The privilege was to the payer. 
If God's people are prepared to pay the condition at- 
tached to God's promise they shall receive privileges 
which are otherwise missed. 

The "take" of Christ's yoke is essential to the "find" of His 

rest (Matt, xi 129) ; 
The "if" of abiding is necessary to answered prayer (John 

xv 7) ; 

The "tarry" of prayer is requisite to obtain the enduement 

of power (Luke xxiv 149) ; 
The "kcepeth" of Christ's commands is the condition attached 

to the manifestation of His grace (John xiv:2i) ; 
The "put on" of God's panoply is prerequisite to the stand- 
ing against the assaults of the enemy (Eph. vi:ii) ; 
The "beholding" of the Lord's glory is the precursor of the 

transfigured life (2 Cor. iii:i8); 
and the "come out" of separation must precede the Lord's 

coming into the heart and life to dwell and walk in 

the believer (2 Cor. vi:i7, 18). 

* jjs * sk * sje sft * 

Conditions fulfilled are the sure precursors of securing 
the promises of God to the full. If we ful-fil by our 
obedience, He will fill full with His blessing. 

Confession of Sin* 

"None that doeth good" {Rom. Hi: 12). 

King Frederick VI. of Denmark, while travelling 
through Jutland, one day entered a village school, and 
found the children lively and intelligent, and quite ready 



60 



PEARLS, POINTS AXD PARABLES. 



to answer his questions. "Well, youngsters," he said, 
"what are the names of the greatest kings of Denmark?" 
With one accord they cried out: "Canute the Great, Wal- 
demar and Giristian IV." Just then a little girl, to whom 
the schoolmaster had whispered something, stood up and 
raised her hand. ''Do you know another?'' asked the 
king. "Yes : Frederick VI." "What great act did he per- 
form ?" The girl hung her head, and stammered out : "I 
don't know." "Be comforted, my child." said the king : "I 
don't know, either." 

Everyone who has come into the light of God's holi- 
ness, measured himself by the rule of God's law. and com- 
pared himself with the perfection of the Lord Jesus must 

Confess with Job, tr I am vile" (Job xl 14) ; 
Cry out with Isaiah, "I am undone" (Isa. vi:5). 
Own with the bride, "I am black" (Song of Sol. 1:5). 
Say with David, "I am a worm" (Ps. xxii:6). 
Write with Paul, "I am carnal" (Rom. vii:i4). 
Pray with Peter, "I am a sinful man" (Luke v:8). 
And Confess with the prodigal, "I am no more worthy" 
(Luke xv :2i). 

Confession is more than asking for forgiveness, it is the 
naming of the sin in humble penitence. Brokenness of 
heart about the sin. and a breaking from the sin confessed 
are the traits of true confession. 



Confidence Toward God. 

"If our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward 
God" (1 John Hi: 21). 

"When Clifton Johnson was travelling in Ireland, he sat 
down one day in a cottage, to talk with an old woman. As 
they were having their 'dish of discourse,' there came a 
clap of thunder, and the old woman at once spread out her 
hands in supplication, crying: 

61 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



" 'God bless and save us ! And save his honour, and 
save the people and all of us !' 

"For the space of half an hour the thunder was fre- 
quent, and each time she prayed. Then she told Mr. John- 
son this story, which has a good moral in its defining of 
the proper spirit which should belong to prayer : 

" 'There was a man, and he was working in a field, 
and it came on to thunder, and he put his head in a hole in 
the wall, and he said, "God save whet's out o'me !" But 
he ought to have prayed for the whole of him ; for he no 
sooner said that than the wall fell and took his head 
clean off. 

" Tt was telled to me that this was a judgment on the 
crathur, because it is not right to pray small, just for 
yourself. But you should pray large — to save us all — 
pray big and open-hearted. But that may be only a story, 
sir/ " 

"That may be only a story," but it has its lesson, for 
if he had prayed wholly for himself, the whole of himself 
would have been preserved. The fact is, if we are to pray 
wholly, we must have a whole-hearted confidence born of 
a whole-hearted consecration. 

An uncondemning heart is the secret of boldness in ap- 
proach to God in prayer. Among the conditions which 
were requisite for a man to be a priest under the Levitical 
economy, was that he was to be perfect ; no one who was 
lame, blind, that had a flat nose, that had any superfluous 
growth, that was broken-footed or broken-handed, that 
was crookbackt, a dwarf, or that had a blemish in his eye, 
a scurvy or scabbed person, or broken in any way, was 
allowed to approach and "offer the bread of his God" 
(Leviticus xxi. 17-21) : nor "come nigh to offer the offer- 
ings of the Lord." The Lord looks not now on the out- 
ward appearance, but on the heart. These things were 
written for our learning, though, and have a lesson for us, 
for those who have the halt of hesitation in obedience to 
God, those who are blinded by unbelief, those who have 



62 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



the brokenness of backsliding, those who have the crook- 
edness of compromise, those who are stunted in their 
spiritual growth, those who have the scurvy of fretf ill- 
ness, and those who have the scabs of discontent, cannot 
have the wholeness, which is requisite in order to ap- 
proach God with boldness, so that they may prevail in 
prayer. 

* * * * * j|s jjs s|e 

Confidence in God's Word, is faith's authority; confi- 
dence toward God, is faith's boldness ; and confidence with 
God, is faith's joy. 



Conscience. 

"A Conscience" (Acts xxiv:i6). 

"Bessus, a native of Pelonia, in Greece, being seen by 
his neighbors pulling down birds' nests, and destroying 
their harmless young, was severely rebuked for his 
cruelty. His excuse was that their notes were insufferable 
to him, as they never ceased twitting him for the murder 
of his father. Poor birds, they were innocent enough in 
the matter, but it was a guilty conscience which muttered 
its ceaseless reproaches in his ears." Every sound is to 
the guilty conscience an accusing voice and a 'death-knell ; 
but, where the conscience is clear, the twitter of the birds, 
the music of the waves, and the tolling of the bells are 
voices which quiet our hearts, and make us say — in truth 
— with Shakespeare's Wolsey in reply to Cromwell, who 
asks 

"How does your grace? 

Why, well ; 
Never so truly happy * * * 
I know myself now ; and feel within me 
Above all earthy dignities, 
A still and quiet conscience." 

Conscience was the Voice to charge Joseph's brethren with 
their sin (Gen. xliv:i6). 



63 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

Conscience was the Spectre to haunt Saul for his disloyalty 

( i Sam. xv :2o) . 
Conscience was the Troubler to disturb Ahab for his greed 

(i Kings xviii :i7, 18). 
Conscience was the Prosecutor to charge David with his 

iniquity (2 Sam. xii:7). 
Conscience was the Handwriting to condemn Belshazzar for 

his profanity (Dan. v 122, 23). 
Conscience was the Arresting Hand to detain Achan because 

of his coveteousness (Josh. vii:24). 
Conscience was the Iron which branded Cain with his crime 

(Gen. iv:i5). 

Conscience was the Whip which lashed Judas for his un- 
holy betrayal of Christ (Matt. xxvii:3-5). 

A conscience that is adjusted by the compass of God's 
Word is the only conscience that is reliable. 



Consciousness of the Divine. 

"Before Me" (Gen. xvii:i). 

We know very little about Tennyson's inner religious 
life. His biography is remarkably silent concerning his 
religious experiences ; but a favorite niece of his, who had 
many walks and talks with her uncle, has related more of 
his inmost religious life than the world has ever before 
known, and proves that the great poet, though so reticent 
concerning his inner life, was, in the deepest sense, a com- 
rade of the Quiet Hour. As they were walking together 
on the beautiful downs on the Isle of Wight, with the 
sounding sea ever in their ears, and God's bright skies and 
great plains above and about them, he said to her: "God 
is with us now on this Down, just as truly as Christ was 
with the two disciples on their way to Emmaus. We can- 
not see Him, but the Father, and the Saviour, and the 
Spirit are nearer, perhaps, now, than then, to those who 
are not about the actual and real presence of God, ana 
His Christ with all who yearn for Him." 



64 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



"I said," writes the niece, "that such a near actual pres- 
ence would be awful to most people." 

"Surely the love of God takes away, and makes us for- 
get all our fear," answered Tennyson. "I should be 
sorely afraid to live my life without God's presence, bul 
to feel that He is by my side now, just as much as you 
are — that is the very joy of my heart." 

"And I looked on Tennyson as he spoke, and the glory 
of God rested on his face, and I felt that the presence oi 
God overshadowed him." 

The Lord's desire and command are plainly inculcated 
as we ponder the following passages of Scripture in con- 
nection with the words, "Before Me." 

(1) God's Appreciation. — "Thee have I seen righteous 
before Me" (Gen. vii:i). 

(2) God's Command. — "Walk before Me, and be thou per- 
fect" (Gen. xvii:i). 

(3) God's Claim. — "Thou shalt have no other gods before 
Me" (Ex. xx :3). 

(4) God's Expectation. — "None shall appear before Me 
empty" (Ex. xxiii:i5; xxxiv:2o). 

(5) God's Verdict. — "Thy way is perverse before Me" 
(Num. xxii:32). 

(6) God's Mandate. — "Keep silence before Me" (Isa. 
xli:i). 

(7) God's Care. — "Thy walls are continually before Me" 
(Isa. xlix:i6). 

3jc 5}c jjt jjc 5fc j|5 

To recognize the presence of the I^ord by faith is to 
realize His company to our joy. 



Contentment. 

"Godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Tim. vi:6). 

In the Earthly Paradise there is the story of a poor 
Roman scholar, who, by reading the writing on an image, 
and watching the shadow it cast on the ground discovered 
the way into a hall full of treasure. He gathered all he 



65 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



could carry, thinking joyfully of the palace such wealth 
would build. As he turned to go, he saw on the floor a 
wonderful green stone, and stooped to lift it, imagining 
that its price would purchase half the world. The stone 
was fixed to the ground, and as he struggled to move it, 
he saw the figure of an armed knight that stood near, 

"Pointing against the ruddy light 
A huge shaft ready in a bow," 

begin to move the bowstring to his ear. The arrow struck 
a dazzling carbuncle, by which the hall was lighted, and 
all was instantly dark. The scholar groped in vain for the 
door by which he had entered, and at last perished miser- 
ably by the side of his treasure. 

The story is a parable of the thirst for something more, 
which wears away so many lives. Contentment is rare 
now, and very old-fashioned. 

Contention and contentment are the same in the con- 
tents of their first two syllables, but what a difference in 
their contents as a whole. The Greek words "arkeo" and 
"arketos" give a chain of Scriptures which tell of the 
soul and secret of contentment. The words are rendered 
"enough," sufficient," suffice," and "content." 

(1) A Dark Past.— "The time past of our life may 
suffice us" (i Pet. iv:3). 

(2) A Divine Saviour. — "Show us the Father, and it 
sufflceth us," &c. (John xiv:8). 

(3) A Glorious Assurance.— "My grace is sufficient for 
thee" (2 Cor. xiirg). 

(4) A Happy Companionship. — "It is enough that the dis- 
ciple be as his Lord" (Matt. x:2S). 

(5) An Imperative Command. — "Be content with such 
things as ye have" (Heb. xiii:5). 

(6) A Needful Reminder. — ''Sufficient unto the day is the 
evil thereof" (Matt. vi:34). 

(7) A Contented Conclusion. — "Having food_ and rai- 
ment let us therewith be content" (1 Tim. vi:8). 

******** 

Contentment in the Lord is one way to prove we are 

consecrated to Him. 



66 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Continuance in Prayer. 

"Continue in Prayer" (Col iv.2). 

Fletcher's whole life was a life of prayer; and so in- 
tensely was his mind fixed upon God, that he sometimes 
said : "I would not move from my seat without lifting up 
my heart to God." "Whenever we met," says Mr. 
Vaughan, "if we were alone, his first salute was, 'Do I 
meet you praying?' And if we were talking on any point 
of Divinity, when we were in the depth of our discourse 
he would often break off abruptly, and ask, 'Where are 
our hearts now?' If ever the misconduct of an absent 
person was mentioned, his usual reply was, 'Let us pray 
for him.' " Oh ! for a like spirit of constancy in prayer. 

Again and again we read in the Acts, of the believers 
continuing in prayer, but there was not only continuance, 
there was intensity and strength, too. 

The forerunner of Pentecost is found in those named, who 
"with one accord continued stedfastly in prayer" (Acts 

i 114, r. v.) ; 

The feeder of the Church's life is indicated in the an- 
nouncement that the believers were "day by day, con- 
tinuing stedfastly with one accord in the temple" (Acts 

ii 146, R. v.) ; 

The essentiality is described in the apostles' declaration, 
when they said "we will continue stedfastly in prayer" 
Acts vi:4, r. v.); and the Spirit's injunction is still 
"continue stedfastly in prayer" (Col. iv.2, r. v.). 

Constancy is the soul of the Christian life, it is the con- 
tinual treading which makes the beaten track, it is 
constant use that makes the strong arm, it is repeated 
practice that makes the musician perfect, it is continued 
rubbing that makes the vessel bright, it is the persistent 
study that wins the prize, it is the running water that 
makes a channel, and it is the plodder who prevails. 
The same is true with stedfast prayer, it is a track- 
maker to the throne of grace, it is a nerve-invigorator 
in Christian service, it is a praise-inciter in temple wor- 
ship, it is a life-bright ener in the spiritual walk, it is 



67 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



a blessing-bringer in the realm of grace, it is a soul- 
deepener in the things of God, and it is an inspiraiion- 
giver to enable us to continue in the heavenly race. 

******** 

If we would "grow up" into Christ in all things, we 
must "go out" from the world of sin (Genesis xii. i), and 
get up to the Bethel of prayer (Genesis xiii:3, 4). 

Contraband. 

"The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of 
Esau" {Gen. xxvir.2.2). 

A Chinese trader was the scene of a humorous smug- 
gling incident upon her arrival at Sydney from the East 
recently. The Customs officials made an unusually exten- 
sive search for contraband opium and cigars, and one of 
them became suspicious of the attitude of a sick sailor, 
who lay in his bunk with a "broken leg." Sharply inter- 
rogated, the invalid whined out in English, "Doctor says, 
no touchee me ; no movee." The official, however, proved 
inexorable, and amid choice imprecations in florid Canton- 
ese, the sailor was tenderly removed to another bunk. A 
search revealed the cause of illness, which consisted of a 
wholesale consignment of boxes of cigars, neatly packed 
in rows, as a foundation to the mattress. 

Something very similar is often found among profess- 
ing Christians. They are so comfortable in their sloth 
and self-sufficiency, that they exclaim against any special 
effort to disturb them ; but when the Lord comes with His 
searchingness, then 

He brings to light the contraband of the want-of-love, as He 

did in the case of the Church in Ephesus (Rev. ii 14) ; « 
The contraband of the want-of-firmness, as with the Church 

in Pergamos (Rev. ii : 14) ; 
The contraband of the want-of-separation, as with the 

Church in Thyatira (Rev. ii :2o) ; 
The contraband of a mere profession, as with the Church 

in Sardis (Rev. iii :i) ; 



68 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



The contraband of self-sufficiency, as with the Church in 

Laodicea (Rev. iii:i/); 
The contraband of unholy alliance, as with Jehosaphat 

(2 Chron. xviii :i) ; 
And the contraband of self-dependence, as with Peter (Luke 

xxii 133). 

% ifc ^ 5^-^ ijt l|c J|f 

The unrighteous thing is more unrighteous when it is 
covered up than when it is made known. To be a walking 
lie. while we profess to be a living saint, is worse than 
bad. 



Counting* the Cost 

"Count the Cost" (Luke xiv :28 R.V.). 

"I want you to spend fifteen minutes every day pray- 
ing for foreign missions,'" said the pastor to some young 
people in his congregation. "But beware how you pray, 
for I warn you that it is a very costly experiment." "Cost- 
ly?" they asked in surprise. "Aye, costly," he cried. 
"When Carey began to pray for the conversion of the 
world it cost him himself, and it cost those who prayed 
with him very much. Brainerd prayed for the dark- 
skinned savages, and. after two years of blessed work, it 
cost him his life. Two students in Mr. Moody's summer 
school began to pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth 
more servants into His harvest ; and lo ! it is going to cost 
America five thousand young men and women, who have, 
in answer to this prayer, pledged themselves to the work. 
Be sure it is a dangerous thing to pray in earnest for this 
work ; you will find that you cannot pray and withhold 
your labor, or pray and withhold your money ; nay, that 
your very life will no longer be your own when your 
prayers begin to be answered." 

It is always a costly thing to give oneself wholly over 
to the Lord, to be used as He wills in His service. 



69 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



It cost Elijah much persecution, for he was hounded by the 
woman Jezebel, who eagerly sought his life (i Kings 

xix :2) ; 

It cost John the Baptist his head (Matt. xiv:3-io); 

It cost Paul and Silas pain and imprisonment (Acts xvi:23) ; 

It cost Stephen his life (Acts vii :6o) ; 

It cost the Apostle John banishment to the Isle of Patmos 
(Rev. i:o); 

It cost Paul desertion (2 Tim. iv:i6) ; * 
And it cost Christ the cross (Phil. ii:8). 
******** 

Counting the cost is only the investment on our part : 
the interest God gives more than compensates for any 
loss, or cost. Faith looks not back at its giving up, but it 
ever looks to its gain in Christ (Phil. iii. 8). 



Crimson Lights. 

"The Blood of the Lamb" (Rev. vii: 14). 
While passing the World's Fair at St. Louis, in the 
night train, the thousands upon thousands of electric 
lights on all the buildings made a magnificent display; 
and, as I was looking, the lights on the Festal Hall 
changed to a deep crimson. This set me thinking that, 
amid all the wonders of God's creation, and all His works 
in providence, there was one fact which stands out in deep 
carmine fact, namely the blood of Christ's crimson atone- 
ment. 

The atonement of Christ's death is 

The sin-cleanser of the sinner's conscience (1 John i:7). 
The self-annuller of the old life (Gal. ii :2o) ; _ 
The soul-sanctiiier of the saint's life (Heb. xiii:i2); 
The service-inspirer of the believer's work (2 Cor. v:i4) ; 
The victory-giver in the warrior's conflict (Rev. xii:ii) ; 
The magnet-drawer to the Church's communion (1 Cor. , 
x:i6) ; 

And the song-incentive of Heaven's praise (Rev. v:9). 
******** 

The carmine fact of Christ's death is the death of every 
sin, and the life of every virtue, as well as the inspiration 
to all service. 

70 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 
Crucifixion with Christ. 



"Christ crucified" (i Cor. 1:23). 

"A destitute out-of-work, who recently came into the 
hands of the Church Army at their new Labor Home, 
lately a police-station at Bow, was found to have a repre- 
sentation of the Crucifixion tattooed on his back. He ex- 
plained that he had had it done many years ago as a pro- 
tection against flogging ! It seemed that he had been in 
the Army, and that there is, or was, a notion prevalent 
amongst soldiers that no officer would dare to order a 
man to be flogged whose flesh bore this symbol, nor any 
soldier to carry out such an order. The man himself 
fully believed the story, and it would be interesting to 
know whether, in the old flogging days, the notion was 
generally held in the army." 

Not the representation of the Crucifixion tattooed on 
the person will prevail with heaven. 

But (1) Faith in the Crucified, who died "for" us (1 Cor. 

1:13) ; 

(2) Identification with Christ crucified will conquer self 

(Gal. ii :2o) ; 

(3) Oneness with Him will separate from the world 

(Gal. vi:i4); 

(4) Crucifixion with Christ will stultify the flesh (Gal. 

v 124) ; 

(5) Christ crucified is the secret of holiness (Rom. 

vi :6) ; 

(6) Christ crucified reveals the power and wisdom of 

God (1 Cor. i 123, 24) ; 

(7) Christ crucified is the one theme of the true 

evangeliser (1 Cor. ii:2). 

Self-crucifixion is the effort of self in endeavoring to 
put itself to death ; but crucifixion with Christ means we 
believe we are dead with Christ in His death. 



71 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Dead by the Death of Another. 

"Ye are become dead to the law" (Rom. vii:4). 
An illustration of how the law has no claim upon a 
dead man is that of a well-known debtor, who saw no 
possible way of paying his debts, which he owed almost 
entirely to one man, a benevolent, though just, individual. 
In his extremity, the debtor adopted the ruse of dying, 
and his wife rapidly made it known that the great stress 
of this debt on her husband's mind had killed him. His 
creditor, touched, and, perhaps, somewhat stricken by 
reason of previous hardness in worrying for payment, 
visited the bogus widow, and, gazing upon the face of 
the dead man, told the weeping woman not to worry 
about the debt, which he would entirely forego. "I'll 
give you a receipt for the full amount," he said, to pacify 
her: and he did it. The next day, the extraordinary 
news passed through the town that the dead man had 
wonderfully come to lif e ; and, as a matter of fact, he was 
about again, pretending convalescence, in the course of a 
few days. 

Since Christ has died for the believer, he is, in the 
death of Christ, 

Dead to sin's penalty (Rom. vi :7) ; 
Dead to sin's authority (Rom. vi:ii) ; 
Dead to the world's attraction (Gal. vi:i4); 
Dead to self's life (Gal. ii :2o) ; 
Dead to the flesh's pursuits (Gal. v 124) ; 
And dead to the law's claim (Rom. vii:4). 

Baptized into Christ's death means the death of self. 
Baptized into the Body means to be dominated by the 
Head, thus energised by His power. 

Dead with Christ. 

"For ye are dead" (Col. 3:3). 

In the Supreme Court of California some time ago, a 
man named Mclntyre was brought into Court from the 
jail at St. Quentin, to answer a charge of murder. It 

/ ~ 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



appeared from his defence that he was serving a life 
sentence at St. Quentin, to which he had been subjected 
for murdering a man named Renowden, in Santa Clara 
County. He had been tried, convicted, and sen- 
tenced for Renowden's murder, and he claimed that he 
was, in consequence, legally and civilly dead, and that in 
bringing him up for trial on another charge the authori- 
ties had blundered. He claimed that being dead, in law 
for the murder of Renowden he could not be subject to 
prosecution on trial for any other crime. The plea is a 
novel one, but it seems probable that the Court will pro- 
nounce it valid. The claim of being dead to the law 
while yet alive is that of the Christian, but in his case 
it is not his own death that he pleads, but that of Christ, 
his Divine Substitute. "Likewise reckon ye also your- 
selves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God through 
Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans vi:ii). 
Believers are dead with Christ: 
To sin's penalty, for Christ has borne it (Rom. vi :7, mar- 
gin). 

To law's claim, for Christ has answered it (Rom. vii:4). 
To sin's power, for Christ has broken it (Rom. vi:2; i Pet. 
ii:24). 

To Satan's claim, for Christ has annulled it (Heb. ii : 14) - 
To self's living, for Christ has transfixed it (Gal. ii:2o). 
To the old man's habits, for Christ has nailed him and them 

to the cross (Col. iii 13-9) - 
To the world's pursuits, for Christ has doomed them (Col. 

ii :2o). 

To the flesh's lust, for Christ has crucified it (Gal. v.24). 

Faith makes true in the life, what God says is true 
for us in Christ. He says we are dead with Christ, and 
Faith believes it, and has no ear for sin, no hand for its 
service, and no feet to walk in its ways. 

Death in the Pot. 

"There is death in the pot" (2 Kings iv:4o). 
The manager of a Woolwich beerhouse died recently 
in Guy's Hospital from exhaustion following delirium 



73 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



tremens, after suffering from lead colic. 

He told the house surgeon that he had been in the 
habit of drinking the first draught of beer drawn from 
the pipes each morning. The doctor explained that this 
beer, having been in the pipes all night, would have ab- 
sorbed lead, and thus lead would get into the man's sys- 
tem. There was the same danger from water. 

How often danger is lurking where it is least expected. 

In the house of honored preferment Joseph found the trap 
of impurity (Gen. xxxix:/); 

After the paradise of revelation Paul was conscious of the 
tendency to the inflation of pride (2 Cor. xii:7); 

In the tent of hospitality Sisera found the cruel nail of Jael 
(Judges iv : 18-21) ; 

In the sphere of honored service the man of God out of 
Judah fell into the snare of flattery and became the dis- 
obedient prophet (1 Kings xiii : 14-22); 

In the mount of ardent devotion to God there lies the val- 
ley of discouragement near, as is evidenced in the con- 
trast between Elijah on Mount Carmel and under the 
juniper tree (1 Kings xviii; xix:4); 

In the place of privilege there often stands the arbour of 
slumber, as was seen when the disciples were with 
Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, and yet they slept 
(Mark xiv 133-37) ; 

And after the opened heaven of God's acknowledgment 
there often follows the wilderness of temptation (Matt. 
iii:i6; iv:i). 

When sin is in the heart, its poison will penetrate to 
everv part of our nature, for out of the heart are the is- 
sues of life. 



Devices of tJie Devil. 

"Not ignorant of his devices" (2 Cor. ii:ii). 

After Admiral Dewey had conquered the Spanish fleet 
at Manila, the Spanish revenue cruiser Callao, which had 
been among the Southern Islands for sixteen months, 



74 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



knowing" nothing- of the war, sailed into the harbor with 
the Spanish flag flying and asked for the Admiral of 
the Spanish fleet. Several shots fired at her. convinced 
her that something was wrong. She hauled down her 
flag, and hoisted the white flag. A boat's crew of Ameri- 
cans boarded her and hoisted the Stars and Stripes. 

The Spaniards were caught because they were ignorant 
of the war. A great many believers are caught by the 
great enemy of souls, because they are ignorant of his 
devices. 

Thus Peter was caught in the trap of self -confidence (Matt. 

xxvi:35, 69-75) ; 
Moses was caught in the gin of self-action (Num. xx:ii) ; 
David was caught in the snare of fleshly-lust (2 Sam. xi 14) ; 
Jacob was caught in the net of deceitfulness (Gen. xxvii ; 

18-20.) ; 

The disciples were caught in the meshes of self-aggrandise. - 

ment (Luke ix 146; ; 
John was caught in the maze of sectarianism (Luke ix:49) ; 
And the sons of Zebedee were caught in the quicksands of 

un-Christlikeness ( Luke ix :52~56). 

♦ ♦^^^^^^ 

Filled with the Spirit, armed with God"s armour, and 
initiated by God's Word, we shall not be ignorant of 
Satan's doings and devices, but we shall avoid the one 
and conquer him in the other. 



Devil: Giving* no Place to. 

Neither give place to the devil" {Eph. W\2j). 

In the closing examination of a theological seminary, 
the professor gave the students a paper containing two 
subjects, "The Holx Spirit and the Devil" and told them 
to write half-an-hour on each of the subjects. 

One of the students wrote steadily for one hour on 
the Holy Spirit, and wrote at the bottom of his manu- 
script, "I have no time for the devil." 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



The child of God should have no time to listen to the devil's 

lies as Eve did (Gen. iii:i-6). 
No time to go off into some by-path to be entrapped by the 

devil's "snares''' (i Tim. iii:7); 
Xo time to be off guard to be overcome by the devil's 

"wiles" (Eph. vi:ii). 
No time to be "beguiled'' by his baits (2 Cor. xi:3) ; 
No time to be caught by his "devices" (2 Cor. ii:ii) ; 
No time to give "place" to his leadings (Ephes. iv 127) ; 
And no time to be discouraged by his buffetings (2 Cor. 

xii:7). 

Keep out of the devil's lap of the world, if you would 
avoid the slaps of his wounding. He will rob you of the 
locks of your power, and make you grind in the prison- 
house of failure if he gets you asleep, as he did Samson 
(Jud. xvi 119-21). 



Difficulties. 

"I leaped over a wall" (Ps. xviii\2g). 

"There are twenty hills between here and the place 
of your destination,'' said a friend as he met another go- 
ing in the opposite direction on his bike. It was enough 
to make one ill to think of those hills, and it ill became 
him to cause those hills to rise before us. We thought 
as we walked up the long hill out of Grantham, if the 
twenty hills are all like this, we shall be ill before we get 
over the hills. But we found the hills were not so bad 
after all, for they made a good switchback, and relieved 
the monotony of a dead level. We could not help think- 
ing we had borrowed misery in wondering how we were 
to rise above the rises of the way, for the up-and-down 
was rather a relief and a change, than a tiresome difficul- 
ty. Many an imaginary difficulty has been an inspiriting 
delight ; and what seemed to be irksome in the distance, 
was not bad when we came near. 



76 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



The red sea of difficulty (Ex. xiv 113-22); 

The Saul of persecution (1 Sam. xxvii:i); 

The fret of some thorn in the flesh (11 Cor. xii:g) ; 

The loneliness of some Isle of Patmos (Rev. i :g) ; 

The prison of man's hate (Acts xii 13, 4) ; 

The fierce fire of trial (1 Peter i :j) ; 

And the temptations of the devil (Matt iy:ii) have only 
brought the Lord near in the help of His hand, in the 
heart of His love, in the strength of His grace, and 
in the vista of His glory. 

Hardship is not the worst ship in which to sail on the 
ocean of life, especially if we have fellozvship with the 
Lord. 



Double Centre. 

'Therefore He hath poured forth this" {Ac. ii'-SS, R- V.}. 

One has said, "Jesus died on the Cross to make freedom 
from sin possible. The Holy Spirit dwells within me to 
make freedom from sin actual. The Holy Spirit does in 
me what Jesus did for me. The Lord Jesus draws a 
cheque for my use. The Spirit cashes that cheque, and 
puts the money into my hands. Jesus does in me now by 
His Spirit what He did for me centuries ago on the cross 
in His person. 

Now these two truths, or two parts of the same truth, 
go together in God's plan, but, with some exceptions, 
have not gone together in man's experience. That ex- 
plains why so many Christian lives are a failure and a 
reproach. The Church of Christ has been gazing so 
intently upon the hill of the cross with its blood-red 
message of sin and love, that it has largely lost sight 
of the ascension mount with its legacy of power. We 
have been so enwrapt with that marvellous scene on 
Calvary — and what wonder ! — that we have allowed our- 



77 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



selves to lose the intense significance of Pentecost. That 
last victory shout — 'it is finished' — has been crowding 
out in our ears its counterpart — the equally victorious 
cry of Olivet — 'all power hath been given unto Me.' " 

Passover and Pentecost are intimately connected (Lev. 

xxiii:4-2i; John vii:37~39). 
Christ's baptism was typical of His death and resurrection, 

and Pentecost is forecast by the abiding Spirit upon Him 

(Matt. iii:i3-i7). 
The cleansed leper was not only sprinkled by blood, but he 

was also anointed with oil (Lev. xiv:i-i8). 
Christ not only showed unto His disciples the marks of His 

passion, but He also gave an infusion of His life, in the 

Upper Room (John xx 119-22). 
Christ not only says, "come unto Me," but He also says, 

"Take My yoke upon you." Both are requisite for the 

double rest (Matt, xi -.28, 29). 
Sealed with the Spirit speaks of God's possession (Eph. 

i : 13, r. v.), but filled with the Spirit declares we are 

God-possessed (Eph. v:i8). 
Christ as our Harbour means justification (Rom. iii 124, 25), 

but Christ a's our Holiness is Joy (1 Cor. L30; Rom. 

xv:i3). 

There is a great difference between possessing the Holy 
Spirit and being possessed by Him. In the former case 
He is possessed as the Seal marking us as God's prop- 
erty, but in the latter He is reigning in the heart as 
Sovereign. 



Effectiveness of the Holy Spirit. 

"The Same God" (The Holy Spirit)) "worketh" (effectually 
worketh) "all in all" (1 Cor. xii:6). 

The late A. J. Gordon of Boston in speaking of the 
need of the Holy Spirit, said: 

"The blind man does not need more light, but more 
eyes ; the deaf man does not need more sound, but more 
hearing; and the Christian does not need more of the 

78 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Spirit, but more of the inspiration ; that is, the inbreath- 
ing of the Spirit. Suppose I go to a man who is sick 
with pneumonia, and the nurse says, "Oh, sir, he needs 
more air." "But the windows are open wide, he has all 
the air there is. Do you not see it is not more air that 
he wants, but more lungs ?"" Now the Spirit is spiritus, 
the breath of God, the breath of Jesus Christ, if I may 
say it, and you and I are the cells in those lungs. If 
the lungs get closed up, you will have a consumptive 
Church, a feeble Church, an asthmatic Church, a Church 
which is full of weakness and failure, simply because it 
does not take in more of the Spirit. It is not that you 
need more of the Holy Spirit, but the Holy Spirit needs 
more of you." 

When He has His own way in us, He effectually 
worketh in and through us. 

The Greek word, variously rendered (given in italics) 
in the following passages, signifies to work effectually, 
that is, to accomplish the desired end. 

(1) God's Effectual Work for us. — "Working of His 
mighty power, which He wrought in Christ." &c. (Ephes- 
ians 1:19, 20). 

(2) Spirit's Effectual Work in us — "The power that 
worketh in us" (Ephesians iii:2o; Phil, ii : 13 ; Colos- 
sians i 129). 

(3) Word's Effectual Work upon us — "Which also ef- 
fectually worketh" (1 Thessalonians ii 113) . 

(4) Righteous Man's Effectual Prayer — '"The effectual 
fervent prayer," &c. (James v:i6). 

.(5) Christ's Effectual Ministry — "Works do show forth 
themselves in Him" (Matthew xiv:2). 

(6) Believer's Power to Effectually Work out His Sal- 
vation — "God which worketh in you both to will and 
to do of His good pleasure" (Phil, ii 113). 

(7) Worker's Secret of Effectual Service — "He that 
zvr ought effectually in Peter, the same was mighty in 
me" (Gal. ii:8). 

To lift up holy hands in prayer is the way to secure 
the lifting up of God's hands in power. 



79 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES, 
"Enter in." 

(John x:9). 

"Enter into" {Ezekiel xliv:i6). 

"While walking in London," a Christian worker relates, 
"I was accosted by a French pastor, who said, 'Excuse 
me, were you not in Paris some time ago?' 

"I replied, 'Yes.' 

"Then he enquired: 'Did you not, in one of your 
addresses, sav that "the latch was on our side of the 
door"?' 

" 'Yes/ I replied, T believe I did say so.' 

" 'Well,' he answered, T always thought it was on the 
Lord's side, and I kept knocking, knocking until I heard 
your words — / lifted the latch. Since then, everything has 
been changed to me. My work, congregation, Church, 
all changed.' " 

What a difference would be made in the lives of God's 
people if they would only use the hand of faith to lift the 
latch of God's promise, and enter through the door of 
love into the fulness of God's grace! What would the 
blessings be? 

(1) Safety in the hour of trial, for being in the chamber 
of His love no ill could touch us (Isaiah xxvi:2o). 

(2) Peace amid trouble, for while calamity overtakes the 
wicked, the merciful are resting (Isaiah lvii:2). 

(3) Privilege of prayer, for being near the Lord we can 
tell Him all (Matthew vi:6). 

(4) Pasture after salvation. Having entered into the fold 
of grace, and thereby finding salvation, we feed upon 
His grace, whether in the sanctuary, or in the field of 
labour (John x:9). 

(5) Rest of sanctiiication. Canaan's rest is a type of the 
rest of faith which comes through obedience to the 
Divine Word (Hebrews iv:3). 

(6) Liberty of access. Liberty to enter into and to remain 
in the holiest is through the blood of Christ (Hebrews 
x:i9). 

80 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



(7) Responsibility in service. To keep God's charge is the 
saint's responsibility (Ezekiel xliv:i6). 

To limit the Holy One by unbelief is to proclaim a sad 
want of grace in the heart. To measure the Almighty by 
our limitations is to place ourselves in the place of priva- 
tions. 



Evidences of Christianity. 

"Ye are our Epistle" (2 Corinthians Hi .2). 

"Benjamin Franklin tried to convince the farmers of 
his day, that plaster enriched the soil. All his philosophi- 
cal arguments failed to convince them, so he took plaster, 
and formed it into a sentence by the roadside. The wheat 
coming up through those letters was about twice as rank 
and green as the other wheat, and the farmer could read 
for months, in letters of living green, the sentence, 'This 
has been plastered.' " 

The contention of Franklin was proved by the more 
luxurious growth of the wheat. The same thing is 
brought out in the Christian life. It is not the say of 
profession, but the saintliness of practice which shows the 
reality of faith in Christ. 

Obedience proves love's existence, as Christ says, "If ye 
love Me, ye will keep My commandments" (John xiv:i5, 
R. V.). 

Love demonstrates life. Love is the fruit of life. Life's 
vitality is seen in love's action. Regard for our brethren 
shows our relationship to the Lord (1 John iii : 14-19 ) . 

The savour of godliness proves the existence of grace. 
Grace, like salt, is always pungent (Col. iv:6), for it 
tells by its manner of living in what school it has been 
taught (Titus ii ni-13) . 

Fruit evidences union. Grapes prove the vine. Apples, the 
apple-tree. Figs, the fig-tree. The tree is known by the 
fruit (John xv :5 ; Matt. vii:i6). 

8l 



PEARLS. POINTS AXD PARABLES. 



Good Works show the new birth. Good works do not bring 
life, but life brings good works. Being "in Christ Jesus" 
is God's workmanship, but we are there for ''good 
works" (Eph. ii:io). As the watch is made to keep 
time, so the Christian is made for good works. 

Continuance proclaims discipleship. Christ ever says to 
those who believe on Him, "If ye continue in My Word, 
then are ye My disciples indeed"' (John viii. - 3i). 

And the legible character of a consecrated life tells the Spirit's 
inner workings. The epistle without speaks of the 
Writer within (n Corinthians iii:2). 

Healthfulness and happiness are plants which grow in 
the soil of holiness, and the flowers which bloom on them 
are usefulness and love. 



Failure and Success. 

"In Adam * * * In Christ'' (i Cor. xv.22). 

An old colored man called on a judge, asking for ad- 
vice. "What I'se gwine to inculcate, judge, is dis. "What 
mus' I do to change mah prognomen? When I find dat 
I'se weighed down wif ah prognomen dat's bound to kill 
mah trade, what mus' I do?" "You wish to change your 
name?'' inquired the judge. "And why?'' "Cause mah 
name is Failure. Yes, sah, dat's mah name. I'se a white- 
washer, and dat name jes' queers me." "Very well, uncle. 
Why not use the first letter of your name?'' suggested the 
Court. "'Dat's wuss," groaned the old man. "I'se tried 
dat. I had a big sign painted 'A Failure,'' and mah trade 
left me." "The initial letter does make an unhappy com- 
bination/'' agreed the Judge. "But I'll tell you what to 
do, Use your first name, and then people will not notice 
the last name so much." "Dat's der mos' discimmoding 
of all, sah. It's downright scand'lous. Mah first name is 
Adam, sah." 

"Adam," is the representation of the greatest failure 
in the world, for, as Thomas Boston says, "God made 



82 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Adam captain of the ship of humanity, and he ran us on 
to the rocks and made shipwreck of us." 

What a difference between the first and last Adam. 
Mark the contrast. 



Sin (Romans v :i2 ) . 
Death (i Cor. xv:22). 
Banishment (Gen. Hi 124). 
Condemnation (Rom. v:i8) 
Curse (Genesis iii:i/). 
Shame (Genesis iiirn). 
Poverty (Ephesians ii:i2). 
Sorrow (Genesis iii:i6). 
Defeat (Ephesians ii:2). 
Enmity (Romans viii:7). 
Bondage (Gal. iii:22). 



Last Adam. 
Righteousness (Rom. v 119). 
Life (1 Cor. xv:22). 
Nearness (Eph. ii 113). 
Justification (Romans v:g). 
Blessing (Galatians iii:i4). 
Glory (John xviirio). 
Riches (11 Cor. viii :g) . 
Joy (Romans v:ii). 
Victory (1 John v:5). 
Peace (Col. ii :2o). 
Liberty (Galatians v:i). 



A Christian is "a man in Christ" (2 Cor. xii), which 
means he is no longer in the Adam of failure, in the self 
of sin, and in the world of condemnation. 



Faith and Works. 

''Faith without works is dead" (Jas. 11:26). 

A traveller in the West Indies says there are two 
things for which the islands are noted — hurricane and 
sugar-cane. During a hurricane, a negro householder, 
who found his cabin in danger, made a rope fast to it, and 
sent all the members of his family to haul away upon it to 
windward. He, being a pious man — especially in hurri- 
cane times — took to praying. 

''Oh, Lor', we know that we're all weak," he said. "We 
know that nothin' that we can do is of any use before 
Thee — ■ — If yo' don't keep haulin' at that rope I'll use it 
on yo' backs, yo' lazy bones," he added to his family, and 
then went on praying. 

The combination of his ejaculation, while it may not 
impress one as very polite, at least evidenced his belief in 



83 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

honest effort and earnest supplication. They should ever 
go together. 

Loves proves its affection by its sacrifice (i John iii:i6-i8). 
Hope evidences its reality by its purity (i John iii :3 ) • 
Repentance shows its genuiness by its works (Matt. iii:8). 
Holiness reveals its character by its likeness to the Lord 

(i Pet. i:i5-i7). . 
Conversion manifests its worth by turning to God from idols 

(1 Thess. 1:9). 

Patience demonstrates its character by its endurance (Jas. 
v:7, 8). 

Faith unfolds its reliability by its faithfulness (Gal. v:22, 
r. v.). 

******** 

Faith walks with God in the path of obedience, and 
finds joy warbling in the heart in consequence. 



Faithfulness. 

"Be thou faithful unto death" {Revelation n:io). 

Many are the incidents of the civil war in America, but 
one of the most pathetic and striking illustrations of faith- 
fulness, is found in the negro lad who was given the cus- 
tody of a pair of cavalry boots by an officer in the Con- 
federate Army. One day an attack was made on the 
supply train where the lad was, and an officer rode up and 
demanded those boots for himself. The negro lad simply 
clasped the boots with both arms. The officer enraged at 
the noncompliance with his request, ran his sword 
through the lad's body, and attempted to drag the boots 
from him, but with a death-grip the lad gripped the boots 
the tighter, and his master found the colored lad dead 
with the boots clasped in his arms. After the war was 
over, there was to be seen in the hall of the house of the 
officer, a cabinet containing a pair of blood-stained 
cavalry boots, and over them the simple but speaking in- 
scription, "Tobe's boots." He was faithful to his trust, 
even unto death. 

84 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



There is nothing so much appreciated by our Lord as 
faithfulness. Faithfulness is the 

(1) Mark of stewardship, for a steward must be "found 
faithful" (i Corinthians iv:2). 

(2) Faithfulness is the stamp of a genuine believer — "What 
part hath he that *believeth with an infidel?" (11 Cor. 
vi:i5). 

(3) Faithfulness is the qualification of a true minister — 
"a faithful minister of Christ" (Colossians i \J ; iv :J, 9). 

(4) Faithfulness is the summary of the Christian Life — 
"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also 
in much" (Luke xvi:io). 

(5) Faithfulness is the certificate of trustworthiness in the 
things of God — "If ye have judged me faithful" (Acts 
xvi:is); "commit to faithful men" (2 Tim. ii:2; 1 
Tim. iii:ii). 

(6) Faithfulness is the fulfilment of the Lord's command — 
"Be thou faithful" (Revelation ii : 10) . 

(7) And faithfulness always calls forth the Lord's com- 
mendation — "Well done, good and faithful servant" 
(Matthew xxv:2i, 23; Luke xix:i7; Galatians u:g; 
Ephesians vi :2i ; Col. iv:<p; 1 Timothy i:i2; Hebrews 

iii:2; 1 Peter v:i2; 111 John 5; Revelation ii : 13) . 
*Same word in the Greek. 

******** 

To truly recognize the faithfulness of our Lord is to 
respond to Him in faithfulness. Faith feeds upon God's 
faithfulness, and becomes faithful and full 



Faith Illustrated and Followed. 

"Looking unto Jesus the Author and Perfecter of faith." 
"Considering the issue of their life, imitate their faith" 
(Heb. xii:2; xiii:y, r. v.). 

"In a crisis of British foreign affairs, a huge ladder 
had been erected for decorative purposes against the Nel- 
son column in Trafalgar Square, London. 'What are they 
doing?' asked one of the crowd. They're gettin' him 
down. They'll be wantin' him soon,' said another. So 
with our national ideals, our memories of great men— in 



85 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



peace they tower above our heads as objects of our admi- 
ration, far off, unpractical, but beautiful; in days of trou- 
ble we take them down for use." 

The above was related by a well-known writer at a 
meeting in London. Are there not too many "ideals" and 
"memories" lying dormant in the minds of God's people? 
The men in the crowd suggested, by their "They're gettin' 
him down," and "They'll be wantin' him soon," some- 
thing practical and powerful. Who is the "Him," who 
shall make our memories mighty factors to move us as 
those of yore, and shall make the statues of ideals into 
practical personages, warm with the health of life to do 
exploits ? Who, indeed ! None other than the Lord Jesus 
Himself. 

He is the Physician to heal every malady (Matt. ix:i2). 
He is the Potter to mould us after His image (Rom. ix:2i). 
He is the Preserver to keep away every ill (Job vii:2o). 
He is the Power to strengthen us in trial (i Cor. L24; 11 
Cor. xii :8, 9). 

He is the Potentate to reign over our our entire nature 

(1 Tim. vi:i5). 
He is the Prince to lead on in the Divine life (Acts iii:i5). 
And He is the Portion to satisfy the deepest longing of the 

heart (Lamentations iii 124) . 

The sublimity of faith is seen in its simplicity, for the 
faith which honors God by its trust is honored by God to 
its triumph. 



Faith, or Down to my Boots 

"Your faith to Godward is spread abroad" (1 Thessalonians i:8). 

"I believe it down to my boots," said an aged saint to 
me, as we were talking about the will of God. 

She had remarked, "He does everything according to 
the purpose of His will." 



86 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Whereupon I asked her, "Do you believe that?" 

With a look of intense feeling and soul vehemence she 
replied. "I believe it down to my boots." 

Her faith was thorough, there was no break in it. 
When we believe after that fashion God can do some- 
thing for us. 

It is good to "have faith in God" (Mark xi:22), for 
that brings us into communication with Him. 

It is better to be ''strong in faith" (Romans iv:2o), for that 
keeps us from staggering. 

It is best to be "full of faith" (Acts vi:5; xi:2_i), for that 
allows no room for doubt or fear. 

It is better than the best to possess "the full assurance of 
faith" (Hebrews x:22), for then there is an abundance 
of confidence in the Lord. 

Yea, we may go a step further and have ' : great faith" (Mat- 
thew xv:28). "so great faith" (Matthew viii:io). 

And a "faith which worketh by love," to bring blessing to 
others (Galatians v:6). 

Such a faith is God-honouring in its confidence, Christ- 
exalting in its obedience, and Spirit-glorifying in its 
responsiveness. 

Having faith in God you will have none in yourself. 
There is no room for self, if God has the room. 



Faith's Simplicity. 

''The man believed the Word that Jesus had spoken unto him" 
{John iv.50). 

A beautiful story is told about Abraham Lincoln. Dur- 
ing the Civil War, a father came to him to beg for the life 
of his boy who was condemned to be shot, and he stood 
weeping at the door of the President's house, not one hour 
only or one day only; day after day he knocked, with 
tears, until Lincoln could stand it no longer. He had 
received telegrams from the seat of war that he was not 
to pardon that boy, but at last the great-hearted President 



87 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



said, "General or no general, discipline or no discipline, I 
am going to pardon that man's son," The father was 
brought in to hear the news, but when he saw Lincoln 
smile, his own expression of hope changed to terror. "Mr. 
President," he said, "you are only saying that to get me 
to go away, and you will have my boy shot when I am 
gone." Said Lincoln, "Go away, old man ; if your sort 
lives till I have him shot he will be as old as Methusaleh." 
I would like you to take the word of Christ as simply as 
that old man took the word of his President. 

Faith's simplicity is strikingly illustrated in the Gospels, 

where people simply believed Christ's Word and were 

blessed. 

The Centurion believed Christ's Word for the healing of 

his servant (Matt, viii :8, 13). 
The man with the withered hand showed his faith in Christ's 

Word by stretching forth his hand (Matt. xii:i3). 
The blind men responded to Christ's Word when He asked 

them if they believed He could heal them by saying "Yes 

Lord" (Matt. ix:28, 29). 
The Syrophenecian woman took a puppy's place in accepting 

Christ's Word about her and got a children's portion 

(Matt, xv 126-28). 
The ten lepers showed their faith in Christ's Word in going 

their way to the priests as He directed (Luke xvii:i4). 
Zacchaeus demonstrated his faith in Christ's Call by receiv- 
ing Him joyfully and acting as a saved man (Luke 

xix:S-9). a 

The Dying thief's silence after Christ's response to his re- 
quest speaks of his faith in the Lord's assurance (Luke 
xxiii 142, 43). 

To regulate our minds and ways by the regulator of 
God's truth, is to prove we are in unison with the Sun of 
God's nature. The time-keeper does not regulate the sun. 

Faitii's Storehouse. 

"I hope" (trust) "in Thy Word" (Ps. cxixwi^). 
"I do not trust either Pope or Councils," said Luther 
before the Emperor at Worms ; "since it is manifest that 



88 



PEARLS, POINTS AXD PARAELES. 

they have often erred and contradicted themselves. My 
conscience is held by the Word of God. I cannot, and 
will not, retract anything", for to act against conscience 
is unsafe and unholy. So help me God." 

The Word of God is the anchor to keep us steady in the 

storm of temptation (i John ii : 14) . 
The bolt to fix us to the Rock of Ages in the hour of trial 
_ (1 Thess. i :6). 

The nail to keep us firm in the time of persecution (Rev. 
iii:8). 

The pivot to keep us true in the day of witness-bearing 
(Acts iv:3i). 

The pin to hold us steady in the aggressive warfare of the 

Gospel (Acts xix:2o). 
The hawser to keep us to the moorings of God's holiness 

(John xvii 

And the staple to hold us fast to the Lord (Psalm cxix:6/). 

-ilE if. ~ Of. % 

The unseen is the seen to faith ( Hebrews xin-13), for 
it has confidence in the Unseen; love to the Unseen, and 
joy from the Lnseen ( 1 Peter i:8). 



Faith's Towardness, 

"Faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts xxzii). 

Mr. Oncken, in the early days of his preaching at Ham- 
burg, was brought up before the burgomaster many times 
and imprisoned. This magistrate one day said to him in 
very bitter terms, "Mr. Oncken, you see that little finger?" 
"'Yes, sir."'' "As long as that little finger can be held up. 
sir, I will put you down.'"' "Ah," said Mr. Oncken. "I 
do not suppose you see what I see. for I discern not a 
little finger, but a great arm, and that is the arm of God, 
and as long as that can move you will never put me 
down." 

Faith always looks beyond the human and the present 
to the eternal and Divine. Faith is never occupied with 
itself. Its Object is the Lord Jesus Christ. It rests in 



89 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Him as "Jesus," and finds salvation from sin's desert and 
dominion; it receives Him as "Christ," and experiences 
His sanctifying touch and influence; and it submits to 
Him as "Lord" by allowing- Him to dominate the heart 
and conduct. Faith is like the ivy which clings to the oak, 
and lives upon it. It has no power to stand nor thrive of 
itself; so the believer says, 

"Strong Son of God, Immortal Love, 
Whom we, that have not seen Thy face, 
By faith, by faith alone, embrace." 
Faith is represented under many different similies. 
Faith is the feet which come to Christ in response to His 

"Come unto Me" (Matt. xi:28). 
Faith is the hand which receives "the gift of God" (John 
i :i2). 

Faith is the sense which tastes and sees that the Lord is 

gracious (i Pet. ii:3). 
Faith is the eye which looks to Christ and proves the truth 
_ of His "Look unto Me and be ye saved" (Isaiah xlv:22). 
Faith is the touch which comes in contact with Christ and 

finds the healing power of His grace (Mark v 129-34). 
Faith is the ear which hears His voice and obeys His word 

(John x:27). 

And Faith is the heart-throb which beats in response to the 
Spirit's quickening life (Rom. xv:i3). 

To delight in the Lord means whole-hearted obedience 
to Him ; and this makes Him to delight in us. To love 
Him in our obedience is to find His love our comfort. 



Faith's Walk. 

"We walk by faith, not by appearance" (2 Corinthians v 7, R. V., 

Margin). 

John Wesley writes in his diary: "My brother Charles 
among the difficulties of our early ministry used to say, 
Tf the Lord would give me wings I would fly.' I used to 
answer, Tf the Lord bids me fly I would trust Him for the 
wings/ " All God bids us do, He virtually promises to 
help us do. 

90 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



(1) The way of faith is not the way of sight. That is, it is 
not the looking for evidences, either in our own feeling, 
or in the circumstances that attend us. True faith does 
not ask for these things. It rests on something alto- 
gether apart from them. 

(2) The way of faith is not the way of effort. That is, 
when we are trusting another to do a thing for us, we 
have ceased to try to do it for ourselves, and real faith 
is confidence in God, that He is working in our behalf. 
So, instead of bringing worry and effort into our hearts, 
it brings rest. 

(3) The way of faith is the way of reliance upon the 
Character and Promise of Another — upon God and His 
Word. Faith looks to God to work, as He has said He 
would; and refuses to undertake for itself, except to 
fulfil those conditions that God may have laid down with 
His promise. Indeed, the largest part of faith's struggle, 
often, is to keep^ from interfering on its own behalf — to 
keep from helping God out, as it were. Unbelief can T 
not and will not wait for God to work, but must rush 
ahead to help itself. Thus it fails to receive from God; 
for "He worketh for him that waiteth for Him" (1'sa. 
lxiv:4, r. v.) Faith, on the contrary, is willing to en- 
dure trial, and to wait long, if need be, till God is ready 
to interpose on its behalf. It knows that "He is faith- 
ful who has promised/' and "though the vision tarry, 
it will wait for it, for it will surely come." 

A great part of faith's work, therefore, is fighting unbelief, 
refusing to look at those things that dishearten, and 
destroy confidence. Satan is ever ready with temptations 
to doubt. Often, too, the circumstances about us are 
such as would in themselves utterly discourage us. God 
often "waits to be gracious" until our self-hopes and 
efforts are done. He is the real faith — to hold on, in the 
midst of these untoward things, until, in His good time, 
God works. 

(4) Faith's victory consists in holding fast to God's 
promise, until He sends help. Faith has all things 
promised to her (Mark ix:23). If she will but stand, 
and trust God and wait, she can have anything she needs 
or asks. Let her but refuse to doubt, refuse to move, 
or question, or give back in any wise, and the triumph 
will surely be hers, in due season. 

(5) The way of faith is God's way ^ with His people. He 
has no other. "Without faith it is impossible to be 
well-pleasing unto Him" (Hebrews xi:6, r. v.) 



91 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



He who is infinite, trustworthy, asks that we trust Him, 
could He ask less? When our Lord Jesus was 
on earth, He always asked to be believed. He re- 
joiced at faith, and always wrought for it, but was 
astonished at unbelief (Mark yi:6; iii:5). 

"Let him take hold of My Strength," says God, by Isaiah, 
but it must be by faith alone. May God Himself teach 
us this blessed way of faith, whether in our work, our 
spiritual experience, or our still more direct dealing with 
God in prayer. We must learn to trust, and to go on 
believing against all obstacles. "Behold, God is my sal- 
vation. I will trust, and not be afraid, He knoweth 
them that put their trust in Him" (Isaiah xii:2; Nahum 
i:7). 

Faith and obedience are synonymous terms, when we 
trust we obey, and when we obey we trust. 



Fasten your Grips. 

"Take fast hold" {Prov. iv.13). 

"I pray you to fasten your grips," C. H. Spurgeon once 
said. "This sentence I met with in one of those marvel- 
lous letters which Samuel Rutherford left as a priceless 
legacy to the Church of God in all ages. Truly he hath 
dust of gold. I thought it would make a capital text for a 
prayer-meeting address, and so I jotted it down. It 
gripped me, and so I gripped it, in the hope that it might 
grip you, and lead you 'to fasten your grips/ But do 
not imagine that I have taken a text from Rutherford 
because I could not find one in the Bible, for there are 
many passages of Scripture which teach the same lesson. 
As, for instance, that exhortation, 'Lay hold on eternal 
life;' or that other, 'Hold fast that thou hast;' or that 
other, 'Hold fast the form of sound words.' The things 
of God are not to be trifled with, 'lest at any time we let 



92 



PEARLS. POINTS AXj PAllALLZp. 

them slip:' they are to be grasped, as Jacob seized the 
angel, with, T will not let thee go.' Faith is first the eye 
of the soul wherewith it sees the invisible things of God, 
and then it becomes the hand of the soul, with which it 
gets a grip of the substance of 'the things not seen as 
yet.' A man has two hands, and I would urge you to 
take a double hold upon those things which Satan will try 
to steal from you. Take hold of them as the limpet takes 
hold upon the rock, or as the magnet takes hold of steel. 
Give a life grip — a death grip: T pray you to fasten 
your grips!' " 

There are several things we are exhorted to "Hold 
fast." 

(1) Faithfulness — '''Boldest fast My name'' (Rev. ii : 13) - 

(2) Confession — "Let us hold fast our confession"' (Heb. 
iv:4, R.V.). 

(3) Hope — "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope" 
(Heb. x:23, r. v.). 

(4) Truth — "Holding fast the faithful Word" (Titus 1:9). 

(5) Pattern — "Hold fast the pattern of sound words" (2 
Tim. 1:13). 

(6) Good — "Hold fast that which is good" (T Thess. v:2i). 

(7) Continuance — "Hold fast till I come" (Rev. ii:25). 

When we hold Christ by our faith. He holds us by His 
power. The grace of His grip makes us grip His grace 
with grace. 



Fear Not, or the Attention of Grace 

"Fear not! Ye are of more value than many sparrows" (Luke 

xii :/). 

The closing days of the late Dr. Vince were somewhat 
pathetic. It is recorded that during his last illness, in the 
early morning, he seated himself in a chair in his bedroom 



93 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



and looked through a bay-window. Turning to his wife, 
he said : "My dear, I fear I cannot possibly recover from 
this illness, and when I am gone what will become of you 
— what shall you do ? I know my people will be kind to 
you out of love to me." She tried to comfort him, but he 
was very low. In a few moments three or four loud taps 
were heard, which made both of them look up, and there 
was a sparrow with a worm in its mouth tapping against 
the window pane. He at once repeated the Master's words : 
"Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of 
them shall not fall to the ground without your Father/' 
His countenanced brightened ; he no longer seemed de- 
pressed. To him it was a messenger of comfort, and who 
could doubt that the message from on high was sent to 
solace him in his affliction? 

The careful attention of the Lord to details is aptly ex- 
pressed when we remember, He 

(1) Names His sheep (John x:3). 

(2) Numbers our hairs (Matthews x:3o). 

(3) Counts our steps (Job xxxi:4). 

(4) Books our thoughts (Malachi iii:i6). 

(5) Bottles our tears (Psa, lvi:8). 

(6) Takes our hands (Isaiah xli:i3). 

And (7) Supplies our need (Philippians iv:i<p). 

* ******* 

The parasites of fear, doubt, questioning, and unbelief 
cannot live in the warm sunshine of God's love and the 
fresh air of the Spirit's presence. 



Fellowship with Christ. 

"Called unto the fellowship of His Son" (1 Cor. i:g, r. v.). 

Rumor says, on one occasion Queen Victoria, in speak- 
ing of the late Prince Consort, said : "He was such an one 
that I would have gladly walked barefooted round the 
world with him." 



94 



PEARLS, POINTS AXD PARABLES. 



To be with Christ is the cry of the new-born soul, as is 
evidenced in the delivered demoniac, who prayed that he 
might be"with Him" (Luke viii. 38) : 

It is the prelude to seeing Christ's glory, for Peter and the 

other two disciples were said to be "with Him" ere they 

saw His glory (Luke ix:32). 
It is the place of honour, for the disciples were said to be 

"with Him" before He instituted the Last Supper (Luke 

xxii 114) . 

It is the secret of witness-bearing, as the people owned, 

for they took knowledge of the early disciples that they 

had been "with Jesus" (Acts iv:i3). 
It is the power that separates from sin, for we are said to 

be ''dead with Christ" (Romans vi:8). 
It is the keeping-place of our life, for it is said to be hid 

"with Christ" (Col. iii:3>. 
And it is the hope of the coming glory, for we shall for ever 

be "with the Lord" (1 Thess. iv:i7; v:io; Colossians 

iii:4). 

******** 

Fellows/zf/> is a good ship in which to sail ; for in that 
ship Christ is owned as Captain, and all obey His au- 
thority; hence, there is oneness among the fellows. 

Finding's of the Spiritual Life. 

"I rejoice at Thy Word as One that findeth great sport" (Ps. 
cxix '.162). 

Someone has said, "All men adopt as their motto, 'Win 
gold.' " But men are distinguished from each other by 
the practical ending of that motto. 

The vain man says, "Win gold, and wear it." 

The generous man says, "Win gold, and share it." 

The miser says, "Win gold and spare it." 

The prodigal says, "Win gold, and spend it." 

The usurer says, "Win gold, and lend it." 

The fool says, "Win gold, and end it." 

The gambler says, "Win gold, and lose it." 

The wise man says, "Win gold, and use it." 

(1) The Finding of Prayer, through the seeking of faith 
— "Seek, and ye shail find" (Matthew vii:7). 



95 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

(2) The Finding of Reward, through the renunciation of 
self — "He that loseth his life for My sake shall find it" 
(Matthew x 139). 

(3) The Finding of Heart Rest, through being yoked 
with Christ — "Ye shall find rest" (Matthew xi:2<p). 

(4) The Finding of Pasture, through the going in and 
out of fellowship — "Shall go in and out and find pasture'-' 
(John x:g). 

(5) The Finding of Fish, through following the Lord's 
instructions — "Cast on the right side of the ship, and 
ye shall find" (John xxi:6). 

(6) The Finding of Help, through coming to the throne 
of grace — "Find grace to help in time of need'' 
(Hebrews iv :i6). 

(7) The Finding of Commendation, through endurance 
under trial — "Might be found unto praise." &c. (1 Peter 
i:7). 

The proof of walking in God's wav is found in obeying 
His Word. 



Flies. 

"Corrupted by reason of the Swarm of flies" (Ex. viii:2A). 

When the sun shines the flies sting, and they are most 
persistent in their patronage of your face, and think noth- 
ing of walking along the bridge of your nose, digging 
their forceps into the surface of your skin, and resent any 
hand that seeks to remove them with the buzz of opposi- 
tion. Many have found, when the sun of prosperity is 
shining, flies which have stung them to their hurt. 

Solomon was stung by the fly of licentiousness (1 Kings 
xi:i-6). 

Hezekiah was bitten by the fly of pride (Isa. xxxix:i-6). 
Saul was poisoned by the fly of self-will (1 Samuel xv:22, 
2 3)- 

Jeshurun was blighted by the fly of unbelief (Deut. xxxu : 
I5)« 

Demas was infected by the fly of worldliness (11 Timothv 
iv :io). 

96 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

Lot was contaminated • by the fly of self-seeking (Genesis 
xiii:io-i3). 

And Jehoshaphat was stung by the fly ©f unholy alliance 
(n Chronicles xviii:i). 

The believer who sins against the love of God will 
soon find God, in his love, smiting the believer. 



Forgetfulness. 

"Hath forgotten" (2 Pet. »:$>). 

The antiquary. Dr. Stukeley, is said to have called 
one day by appointment upon Sir Isaac Newton. New- 
ton, however, was in his study, where no one dared dis- 
turb him. The dinner hour arrived, and the man-servant 
brought in a portion of a boiled fowl for his master. 
Hungry himself, and knowing the irregular habits of 
the philosopher, Stukeley took the liberty of appropriat- 
ing the dish, covering it up afterwards, and telling the 
servant to prepare another for Newton. An hour or so 
passed, and the author of the "Principia" made his ap- 
pearance. Lifting the cover from the dish of chicken 
eaten by his friend, he exclaimed. "See what studious 
people are : I forgot that I had dined." 

Believers are apt to forget things they should remem- 
ber. The Lord says, if we fail to add to our faith the 
things which He enjoins, we forget the obligation we 
owe to Him in that He cleansed away our old sins (11 
Peter 1:5-15). 

If this passage is pondered, it will be found "these things" 
of the Christian graces are referred to five times. 

"These things" are the soil of fruitful knowledge (verse 8). 

The lack of "these things" causes short-sightedness and a 
duller memory (verse 9). 



97 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

The doing of "these things" prevents falling, and secures 
an abundant entrance into the kingdom, (verses 10, n). 

It is necessary to be constantly reminded of "these things" 
(verse 12). 

And to have them repeated to us (verse 15). 

We cannot help exercising our faith when we remem- 
ber God's promise, "I will never leave thee" (Hebrews 
xiii:5). 



Frankincense. 

"This is thankworthy" (1 Peter ii :ig). 

Count Tolstoi, in defending his belief in non-resist- 
ance, says : "You can show by your peaceable behaviour 
that you are not governed by the barbarous impulse of 
retaliation, and your adversary will not continue to strike 
a man who neither resists nor tries to defend himself. 
It is by those who have suffered, not by those who have 
inflicted suffering, that the world has been advanced." 
The Count's statement is but the reflection of what we 
find in the New Testament. Peter, in his first letter, 
has a good deal to say of Christ's sufferings for us (1 
Peter ii:2i-23; iii:i8; iv:i) ; and he has also much to 
say of our suffering for Him. There are at least seven 
phases of this profitable, if not always palatable, truth : 

(1) The essence of suffering is to "endure grief, suffering 
wrongfully" (ii rig) . 

(2) The spirit in which suffering is to he taken is "to take 
it patiently," for this is "acceptable with God" (ii:2o). 

(3) The cause of our suffering is to be "well doing" and 
"for righteousness' sake," then we are said to be "happy," 
or blessed (ii:2o; iii : 14) . 

(4) The betterness of suffering for "well doing," as we are 
in the line of God's will, is definitely expressed (iii 117). 

(5) There is an important "as" to recognise in suffering, 
that is, to "suffer as a Christian" (iv:i5, 16). 

98 



PEARLS. POINTS AXD PARABLES. 



(6) There is c 
namely, to 

- c L- 

(7) And there 
an end — "th< 
eternal glor 
while, shall 
(t :io, s. v.) 



offering never to be omitted, 
.-ceepir.g cf ourselves :o the 

suffering, when it comes to 



jfc * * & # jfc * £ 

Did you ever hear the proverb: ''The itch of disputing 
is the scab of the Church r' Think of it. and as a Chris- 
tian, act on Eph. iv:i-3. 



Freshness. 

"My glory was fresh in me" {Job xxix:2o). 

The American invasion is fertile of stories, and one 
of the most recent is this from The Country Gentleman: 
An enterprising Yankee came over to England and de- 
cided to open a shop in Birmingham. He obtained prem- 
ises next door to a man who also kept a shop of the same 
description, but was net very pushing in his business 
methods. 

The methods of the Yankee, however, caused the older 
trader to wake up; and, with the spirit of originality 
strong upon him, he affixed a notice over his shop with 
the words. ''Established fifty years," painted in large 
letters. Next day the Yankee replied to this with a no- 
tice over his store to this effect: "Established yesterday; 
no old stock." 

We have known some Christians who were hiving :n 
the mouldy fare of a past experience. 

We need always to he anointed with the "fresh oil" of the 
_ Spirit (Ps. xcii :io) ; 

To feed upon the new manna of His Word of Promise 
(Num. xi :8) ; 

To listen with the ear of attention every morning to the 
voice of the Lord's instruction (Isa. 1:4): 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

To have the garden of our being watered with the water 

of life "every moment" (Isa. xxvii:3); 
To have the renewing of God's power for the stress of life 

"day by day" (n Cor. iv:i6); 
To have the lamp of our testimony fed by the oil of truth 

and the attentive ministry of our great "High Priest" 

(Lev. xxiv :3, 4) ; 
And the "always abounding in the work of the Lord" (1 

Cor. xv 158) . 

If we would retain the Spirit's power, then we must 
maintain the Spirit's grace by prayer. 



Fruit. 

"Your fruit unto holiness" {Rom. vi:22). 

A barber, who practiced his art in a large Yorkshire 
village, had a rival. The man was an earnest Christian 
and local preacher. He noticed, in a recent week, a 
great increase of customers, and on making inquiry, 
learnt that the practitioner at the other end of the village 
was ill. At the end of the week the barber made a 
calculation, and all he had taken above his average he 
took to his brother of the razor, with the warm expression 
of his Christian sympathy. Is Christianity played out? 
Verily, no! The Christianity was not "played out" in 
the sense of being non est, but it was "played out" in 
very reality in the sense of practicality, even as the sailor 
plays out the rope to the helping of a vessel in dis- 
tress. After all, what constitutes Christianity ? 

What, indeed, but Christ-like action. 
Helping the widows (Acts vi:i). 
Clothing the naked (Acts ix:39). 
Visiting the sick (Matt. xxv:36). 
Caring for the afflicted (James 1:27). 
Housing the homeless (Luke x 134). 
Feeding the hungry (Luke xiv:i3). 



IOO 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

And living as Christ did (i John ii:6), are the soul, the 
essence, the backbone, and the sap of Christianity. 

Where these are lacking, there may be the Inanity of 
profession, but not the practice of Christianity. 

ijt >fC Sji . 5j< >fc jfc sjs 

Divine grace makes us Divinely human. 

"As we are Thy children true, 
We are more truly men." 



Fruit-bearing*. 

"His fruit was sweet to my taste" (Can. 11:3). 

A curious feature of the Boer war has been the dis- 
covery of jam by the British soldier. To judge from 
Mr. Brodrick's printed reply to a question in the House 
of Commons, jam has leapt from the rank of a house- 
hold delicacy to the position of a military necessary, 
without which a campaign can hardly be conducted with 
success. 34,582,762 pounds of jam were consumed dur- 
ing the war by the Army, most of it manufactured in 
England, the rest of it in the Colonies. It is com- 
puted that in the year 1900' alone, thirty train-loads of 
jam, at 300 tons to a load, were sent to the front; and 
that the Army consumed more than half its own weight 
of jam in that time. 

Nearly thirty-five million pounds of jam! Tommy 
Atkins should be sweet by now. The fact of T. A. 
taking so much jam, suggests the thought that we must 
be sweetened to be sweet. How true this is in the 
spiritual realm. The blessing of the Lord in any one 
particular communicates its nature to the receiver. 

Thus the grace of Christ is our power (11 Cor. xii:9). 

The joy of the Lord is our strength (Neh. viiino). 

The gentleness of Jehovah makes us great (Ps. xviii:35). 



IOI 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

The peace of Christ gives us calm (John xiv:27). 

The Word of God sanctifies (John xvii:i7). 

The presence of Jesus causes us to be glad (John xx:2o). 

And the beauty of the Lord makes us beautiful (Ps. xc:i7). 

s|« :jc jjc sit ;}: jjs jjs sjs 

The foliage of a beautiful life is found in the rootage 
of God's grace. 



Fulness of Blessing-. 

"Full with the blessing of the Lord" {Dent. xxxiii:2z) . 

Sometimes the condition of a church and community, 
is like that of famine-stricken Leyden, when it was be- 
sieged by Philip's Polish army. Within the beleaguered 
town death reigned. Its brave defenders were starving 
by thousands. Succour was waiting for them in the 
Dutch fleet which could not reach the city. But the 
heroic Hollanders sluiced the dykes and let in the sea, 
and as the rescuing fleet swept in, they flung the loaves 
of bread to the overjoyed crowds which thronged the 
canals of Leyden. Then pouring into the great Protes- 
tant cathedral, they made its arches ring with thanks- 
giving unto God, their Deliverer. 

If the sluices of our heart's faith are open to the Lord, 
by whole-hearted consecration to Him, then the water 
of the Spirit's power will come pouring into our life, 
and we shall know the blessings which are treasured up 
for us in the ships of Christ's precious promises. The 
river of God is full of water (Psalm lxv:9), and there 
are many tributary streams which go to make up its 
fulness. 

Filled with the Spirit means fulness of life to vitalise, for 
"the trees of the Lord are full of sap" (Ps. civ:i6); 

Fulness of power to strengthen as Micah says, "I am full 
of power by the Spirit of the Lord" (Micah iii :8) ; 

Fulness of grace to bless, as illustrated in Stephen, who is 
said to be "full of grace" (Acts vi:8, r. v.) ; 



102 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Fulness of joy to gladden, for the Lord desires that our 

joy ''should be full" (John xv:ii; xvi:24; i John i:4); 
Fulness of His Word in testimony, as Elihu says, "I am 

full of matter; the Spirit within me constraineth me" 

(Job xxxii :i8) ; 
Fulness of wisdom in work, as seen in Joshua, who was 

"full of the Spirit of wisdom" (Deut. xxxiv:9); 
And fulness of holiness in life, like the hands of the High 

Priest on the day of atonement, which were to be u full 

of sweet incense" (Lev. xvi:i2). 

Holiness is the root of happiness. The latter can no 
more be had without the former, than plants can be had 
without roots. 



Gain of Godliness. 

"Godliness with contentment is great gain" (i Tim. vi:6). 

A gentleman was once talking to Thomas Maunt, a 
pious waterman on the river Thames, and, having ascer- 
tained that he never labored on the Sabbath, and was de- 
pendent upon his labors for a living, he said : "Well, as 
your gains have been so small, you could not lay much 
up. Have you not been anxious, as you have proceeded in 
life, lest, from the very nature of your employment, ex- 
posed as it is to dangers and all weathers, you should be 
laid up by illness, and have nothing to support you ?" 

"No, sir; I have always believed in God's providence. 
I think I am just fitted for the situation which He has 
appointed to me ; and that which He has fixed is best. I 
am, therefore, satisfied and thankful. I endeavor to do 
the duty which falls to me, and to be careful of my earn- 
ings. I have always had enough, and I have no fear for 
years to come." 

"Yet, my friend, if illness were to come, and you had 
not a provision made for the supply of your need in help- 
less old age, ought this not to give you some uneasiness ?" 



103 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

"No, sir ; that's not my business. Future years are not 
my business. That belongs to God ; and I am sure that, 
doing my duty in His fear now, and being careful in what 
He entrusts to me, He will supply my need in the future 
in the way which He shall think best." 

No one can over estimate the worth of contentment. 

Contentment is a blessing-bringer (Heb. xiii:5); 

It is a mind-tranquilizer (Phil. iv:ii); 

It is a satisfaction-finder (i Tim. vi:8); 

It is a gain-getter (i Tim. vi:6); 

It is a dispute-expeller (Luke 111:14); 

It is a trust-expresser (Isa. xxvi:3); 

It is a life-adjuster (Matt. vi:33); 

And it is a God-acknowledger (Prov. iii:6). 

To count up our mercies is to find ourselves wholly 
occupied. To ponder our miseries is to be sorely dis- 
tracted. 



Given Up. 

"I gave them up" (Ps. Ixxxi:i2). 

The manager of a cotton mill received a complaint from 
the girls in the weaving-room, that they could not make 
the bobbin boys hear them call for more bobbins. Having 
bought several bells, he instructed the boys to answer 
these when rung by the girls. For a time all went well. 
No matter where the boys were the bells were heard above 
the clatter of the looms. But by-and-bye the girls began 
to complain that the boys were getting careless, and hin- 
dered them more than before; while the boys answered 
that the girls did not ring loud enough. The manager 
therefore went to the room, and experimented by ringing 
the bell again and again; and yet, although the bobbin 
boy was not far off, he paid no attention. Suddenly it 
flashed across the manager's mind that the bells must 
be at fault. On inspection, he found that the girls had 



104 



PEARLS, POINTS AXD PARABLES. 



been in the habit of snatching up the bells by the metal 
instead of the handles, and they had thus covered the bells 
with oil from the machinery. The bells were accordingly 
cleaned, and all went well. To how many people has the 
clear voice of conscience become a dull sound? Xot at 
once, but gradually, till the voice ceases to be heard. The 
Lord never gives up any to judgment till they have first 
given themselves up to sin. The following are illustra- 
tions : 

(1) Pharaoh and the Egyptians — "Gave their life over," 
&c. (Ps. lxxviii:5o). 

(2) Israel in the Land — 'He gave His people over" (Ps. 
Ixxviii -.62). 

(3) Israel in the Wilderness — "I gave them up" (Ps. 
lxxxi :i2). 

(4) Israel and Idolatry — "God . . . gave them up to 
worship the host of heaven" (Acts vii:42). 

(5) The Heathen — "God gave them up" (Rom. 1:24, 26, 
28). Three times, it is said, God gave them up. They 
gave themselves up to sin, and God gave them up to 
judgment in consequence. 

Sin cannot prevail over us as long as we avail ourselves 
of the grace that is in Christ. 



Gladness. 

"Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous" {Ps. xxxii:ii). 

Madame De Krudener sought all her happiness in 
worldly pleasures, till profound melancholy seized her 
which nothing could relieve. One day. a shoemaker 
waited on her in compliance with her orders. A single 
glance at his countenance showed her that he was as 
happy as she was miserable. She could not forbear ask- 
ing, "My friend, are you happy?"' 

To which he replied. "I am the happiest of men, Mad- 
ame." His looks and his words greatly impressed her; 
nor could she rest till she had sought and found the secret 
of his joy. 

105 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



He was a devout Moravian, and gladly seized the op- 
portunity to preach Christ to her. She also received the 
"anointing," and to the close of her life served the Lord 
with gladness, diffusing in her turn the same saving 
aroma to others. 

There are many ministers to the believer's gladness in 
Christ. Let us consider — in the light of the Greek word 
chair o ("to rejoice") — seven feeders to the river of 
joy which flows through the nature of God's children. 

(1) Reconciliation. — "It was meet that we should make 
merry and be glad" (Luke w.32), is the rebuke of the 
father to the elder son; who grumbles at the rejoicing 
occasioned by the prodigal's return. We are glad in 
the Father's gladness in being welcomed to His heart, 
hearth, and home, for they speak of His love, and 
care, and protection, and the joy He has in blessing us. 

(2) Registration. — "Rejoice, because your names are writ- 
ten in heaven" (Luke x:2o). Love inscribed our 
names in the Lamb's book of life. This registration, 
not only tells of the security of the believer in Christ, 
but it also proclaims the individual interest He takes 
in each believer, as Billy Bray used to say, "The Lord 
knows my name, and where I live." 

(3) Redemption. — "He went on his way rejoicing" (Acts 
viii:39). The eunuch had found release from sin's 
penalty and power; hence, joy filled his heart after 
he had confessed his faith in Christ as his Emancipator. 
The meaning of the word Redemption is being "set at 
liberty by virtue of a price paid." This is aptly illus- 
trated in the experience of the eunuch. 

(4) Reciprocation. — "Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are par- 
takers of Christ's sufferings" (1 Pet. iv:i3). Thus 
the apostle comforts the suffering saints; Christ bids 
us do the same (Matt. v:i3), and the early Christians 
exemplify it (Acts v:4). The keen edge of suffering 
is removed where there is this mutuality in suffering; 
yea, He suffers in us (Col. L24; Acts ix:4), and we 
bear His marks (Gal. vi:i7). 

(5) Reflections. — "I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy 
children walking in truth" (11 John 4; in John 3)." 
The consistent life of a believer as it corresponds with 
the truth brings a four-fold benefit, for it honours the 
God of Truth to His glory, it strengthens the walker 
in truth to his betterment, it influences others to a 
corresponding action, and gladdens those who are 
going the same way. 

106 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



(6) Recognition. — "When he came, and had seen the 
grace of God, was glad" (Acts xi:23). Barnabas recog- 
nised the working of God's grace in the conversion of 
those who had believed in Christ at Antioch. As the 
flowers, in their variegated beauty, proclaim the proper- 
ties of the artistic sun ; so, wherever the sun of God's 
grace shines into the heart, its properties are seen in 
the graces of the Spirit which adorn the life. 

(7) Recollection. — '"Then were the disciples glad, when 
they saw the Lord" (John xx:2o). The cause of their 
gladness was the uplifted hands of Christ. What a 
host of recollections would crowd into their minds as 
those pierced hands were shown to them, for those 
hands not only reminded them of His living Presence, 
but of His consummated work on Calvary. We may 
well be glad in having Him, for He is the secret of 
joy, the string of gladness, the substance of rejoicing, 
and the source of all blessing. 

If we are clinging to the Lord with a whole heart, we 
shall soon be singing to Him with soul art. 



God-in-ness, tlie Secret of Godliness. 

"In God the Father" (1 Thess. 

Two of the most devoted saints who have moved among 
the Roman Catholics were Archbishop Fenelon and Mad- 
ame Guyon. The former, in writing to the latter, gives 
us an illustrative comment of what it is to find our joy and 
our all in God alone. Madame Guyon had been a great 
help and stimulus to Fenelon, and he recapitulates in a 
letter to her what he understood her to mean, and men- 
tions six points, which I may summarize as follows : 

(1) The subjection of the natural appetites and propensi- 
ties by the grace of God through faith. 

(2) Ceasing to rest on inward sensibility. "When we 
-lose our inward happiness, we are very apt to think we 

lose God ; not considering that the moral life of the 
soul does not consist in pleasure, but in union with 
God's will." 



107 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



(3) "Entire crucifixion to any reliance upon our virtues 
whether outward or inward." Ceasing from what God 
makes us, and resting in Him alone. 

(4) Acquiescence in the will of God in trying providences. 
"The blows which God sends upon us are received 
without the opposition which once existed, and existed 
oftentimes with great power." 

(5) A new life of love in God Himself, and finding in 
Him all the blessings of His grace. 

(6) Life in union with God. "It is not enough to be 
merely passive under God's dealings. The spirit of en- 
tire submission is a great grace ; but it is a still higher 
attainment to become flexible; that is to say, to move 
just as He would have us move." 

God-in-ness is the secret of the godly life, by God-in-ness 
we mean making God our Home, so that we know 
something of dwelling in the secret place of the Most 
High. There are two words which frequently occur in 
the New Testament, namely, "In God." The whole 
host of the redeemed, described as the Church, is said 
to be "in God'' for He is the Sphere in which they are 
blessed, and in which they are to move (1 Thess. i:i; 
3). 

The Object of the believer's confidence, and the attitude 
of the believer's life, should be to trust "in God" (2 
Cor. i :g ; 1 Tim. iv:io; v:5; vi:i7; Titus iii:8; 1 Peter 
1:21; iii:5). 

The security of the believer's life, amid the storms and 

stress of his earthly pilgrimage, which keeps him 

steady, is the assuring knowledge that his life is "hid 

with Christ in God" (Col. iii:3). 
The one soul-lifting and inspiring thing, when trial comes, 

sorrow, tears, and circumstances are clouded, yea, at all 

times, is to "joy in God" (Rem. v:ii). 
That which gives wing to thought, fervour in sen-ice, and 

courage in testimony, is to be "bold in our God" (1 

Thess. ii:2). 

The element in which the child of God is to move is the 
love of God; for, as we love each other, we prove God 
dwells in us, and we "in God" (1 John iv:i5, 16). 

And as we look out on life's horizon, we are cheered by the 
remembrance that Christ is coming ; our barque is thus 
kept steady by the anchor of hope, for our "hope" is "in 
God" (1 Peter i:2i). 
******** 

Paul said, "I have learned the secret" (Philippians iv: 
12, r.v.). How many there are who are not content to 
learn the secret. 

108 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



God not Hills. 

"Shall I lift up mine eyes to the hills?" (margin Ps. cxxi'.i). 
"Unto thee lift I up mine eyes (Ps. cxxiiin). 

All the difference in the world is made to us by the 
standpoint from which we look. If we look to the hills 
of our surroundings, we shall be disappointed; but if we 
look to the Lord, we shall be delivered. 

A traveller, as he passed through a large and thick 
wood, saw a part of a huge oak which appeared mis- 
shapen, and almost seemed to spoil the scenery. "If," 
said he, "I were the owner of the forest, I would cut down 
that tree." But when he had ascended the hill and taken 
a full view of the forest, the same tree appeared the most 
beautiful part of the landscape. "How erroneously," said 
he, "I have judged while I saw only a part." "This plain 
tale," says Dr. Olin, "illustrates the plans of God. We 
now see but in part. The full view, the harmony and pro- 
portion of things, are all necessary to clear up our judg- 
ment." 

The right attitude is to look at the things of earth from 
the standpoint of heaven. What does this mean? 

(1) Safety from the world. Lot looked to the Sodom of 
the world and got entangled in it ; Abraham looked to 
the Lord and got the reward of faith (Gen. xiii:i4, 15). 

(2) Deliverance from the fear of man. The unbelieving 
spies saw the sons of Anak, and felt they were "grass- 
hoppers" (Num. xiii 133); while Isaiah the seer, sees 
"the inhabitants" of earth to be "grasshoppers" (Isa. 
xl 122). 

(3) Rest in adversity. Looking at our circumstances, we 
say, with Jacob, "all these things are against me" (Gen. 
xlii:36) ; but believing the Word of the Lord, we shall 
say "all things work together for good" (Rom. viii:28). 

(4) Victory in conflict. David, in his own strength, was 
almost defeated by a giant (2 Sam. xxi:i5-i7); but 
when he went against Goliath, in the name of the Lord, 
he got the victory (1 Sam. xvii 145-50). 

(5) Confidence in trial. The servant of Elisha seeing only 
the Syrian host was dismayed, but the man of God, 
knowing of the inner circle which encompassed him, 
rested in calm assurance (2 Kings vi:i5~i7). •„ 



109 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



(6) Guidance in perplexity. Looking around, we shall 
say with Job : "I looked for good, then evil came unto 
me; and when I waited for light, there came dark- 
ness" (Job xxx 126) ; but counting upon the Lord, and 
seeking His direction, we shall be able to bear a like tes- 
timony to the Psalmist, who said : "They looked unto 
the Lord and were lightened" (Ps. xxxiv:5). 

(7) Supply in need. Counting upon human resources, we 
shall often have to say, with Haggai, we "looked for 
much, andj lo, it came to little" (Haggai i :g) ; but look- 
ing at the Source of all blessings, then we shall find our 
need met, as the lame man did, when he obeyed the "look 
on us" of the apostles, and they in turn "directed him 
to the Lord Jesus" (Acts iii:4~6). 

What is God ? God is God. He is the only answer to 
the question. Who can describe the smell of the violet? 
If what He has made is beyond description, how much 
more He Who made it? 



God's Best. 

"The best gifts" (1 Cor. xii:3i). 

In looking round a room in Brooklyn I saw the follow- 
ing lines on an illuminated text card : 

"God has His best things for the few 
Who dare to stand the test, 
He has His second choice for those 
Who will not have His best." 

The words set me thinking of those of God's saints, for 
whom He wanted His best, and they, by their hesitation 
or unbelief, preferred a "second choice." 

Abram was called at the first to go direct to Canaan, but he 
made a second choice in staying at Haran for a time,^ 
till the Lord spoke to him again. How significant is the 
past tense of Genesis xii:i. "The Lord had said unto 
Abram" (Gen. xi:3i; xii:i-3); also "when his father 
was dead" of Acts vii 14, plainly indicating that death 
had to snap the bond which caused him to tarry in 
Haran. 



IIO 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Lot appears to have been only a second rate believer. He 
seems to have started wrong. Meaningful is the state- 
ment that "Lot went with Abram" (Gen. xii 14), while the 
latter went with God, in response to His call. Again, 
Lot "lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jor- 
dan," &c, while Abram, who did not look, was bidden 
by the Lord to "look" at Heaven's expanse, as He gave 
him Heaven's promise (Gen. xiii:io-i4). 

God wanted Moses to go at His bidding and speak to Pha- 
raoh ; he hesitated, and complained he could not speak, 
and passed the honour on to Aaron — thus Aaron got the 
best blessing, and Moses the second choice (Ex. iv:i4~ 
16) ; the same thing is illustrated again when the Spirit 
was distributed among the seventy elders for admini- 
stration purposes, instead of resting on Moses alone 
(Num. xi :ii-i7). 

The Children of Israel made the second choice of wandering 
in the wilderness, instead of entering the Promised 
Land. They saw many things of the Lord's doings, but 
they would have had a greater blessing if they had en- 
tered into His rest (Heb. iii:ii). 

Martha made the second choice of being cumbered with 
service, while Mary had the Lord's rest in sitting at His 
feet (Luke x:39-42). 

Moses and Elijah, when transfigured on the Mount with 
Christ had fellowship with Him in conversing about 
His death ; While the disciples were concerned about the 
place where they were found, and said : "It is good to 
be here'' certainly the better was to be with Him. God's 
best is always given to those who seek it by self-aban- 
donment to His will and whole-hearted faith (Luke ix: 
31-33). 

The best way to have the true Martha activity of ser- 
vice is to have the Mary attention of stillness. Worship 
before work. 

God's Care. 

"He careth for you" (1 Peter v:7). 

God is great in great things, but He is very great in 
little things. A party of tourists were at the Matterhorn, 
and admiring the proportions of the beautiful mountain, 
when it was remarked, that God was not only seen in the 



in 



PEARLS. POIXTS AXD PARABLES. 



lofty snow-clad mountain, but also in the beautiful mosses 
found in its crevices. A gentleman of the party produced 
a pocket microscope., and. having caught a tiny fly. placed 
it under the glass. He reminded the company that the 
legs of the household fly in England were naked, then 
called their attention to the legs of this little fly. which 
were thickly covered with hair. The God Who made the 
lofty mountains rise, attends also to the comfort of the 
tiniest of His creatures, even to providing for them socks 
and mittens to keep them warm. 

All around, wherever we look, we see God is a God of 
detail. He is careful over the little things, which reminds 
us at once of His personal love for us. and His personal 
interest in all that concerns us. 

"Among so many, can He care ? 
Can special love be everywhere?*' 
I asked. "My soul bethought of this. 
In just that very place of His. 
Where He hath put and keepeth you. 
God hath no other thing to do.'" 

When we ponder the Word of God. we are assured 
again and again of His personal, loving interest in us. 

(1) He numbers the hairs of our head — '''Even the very 
hairs of your head are all numbered"' (Luke xii:7). 

(2) He bottles the tears of our sorrow — "Put Thou my 
tears into Thy bottle" (Ps. IvirS). 

(3) He records the thoughts of our meditation — "A book 
of remembrance was written before Him, for them that 
feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name" (Mai. 
iii :i6) . 

(4) He orders the steps of our walk — "The steps of a good 
man are ordered by the Lord*" (Ps. xxxvii:23). 

(5) He hears the cry of our _ supplication — "Before they 
call. I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I 
will hear" (Isa. lxv:2_0. 

'(6) He looks after our interests in all things — "All things 
work together for eood to them that love God" (Rom. 
viii:2$>.~ 



112 



PEARLS. POINTS AXD PARABLES. 



(7; And He supplies every need of our requirement — "My 
God shall fulfil every need of yours," &c. (Philippians 
ivrig, r. v.) 

A j|» j|t ?|s ?|c " "if. ~3f. -jf. 

The child cannot define its mother scientifically, but it 
knows the mother's love and care intuitively. The child 
of God cannot explain the unsearchableness of Jehovah, 
but he does know His unquenchable love. 



Golgotha. 

"He bearing His cross went into a place called * * * Golgotha" 
(John xix:i7). 

There are many interesting legends in the Apocryphal 
lives of Christ, and many illustrations of truth, even as 
the gems of priceless worth are found in the soil of earth. 

"Among these, may be instanced the history of the 
cross, which was first a branch of the tree of life, and, 
being planted by Seth. 'flourished and became a great and 
beautiful tree/' Solomon ordered it to be used for the 
building of the temple, but 'the workmen could find no 
place where it could be used, it always was found too long 
or too short,' and it was cast aside. It then became a 
bridge over a pool of water. 

" 'When the Queen of Sheba was about to cross the 
pool she saw in the Spirit that the Saviour of the world 
should be suspended upon that beam. and. through 
respect, she adored instead of walking over it.'' Solomon, 
conceived, perhaps, as representing the secular spirit in 
Judaism, ordered it to be ''buried in the bowels of the 
earth." but the place where it was buried became the pool 
of Bethesda, and with its reappearance on the surface in 
the fulness of days this leg-end closes." 

In the legend may be found many facts of the truth of 
the gospel, namely, 

113 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



The cross of Christ has a past, for its actuality is pro- 
claimed in the pierced Christ of the prophetic Word 
(Ps. xxii :i6) ; 

The cross cannot be adapted to the temple of men's erec- 
tions, for it is a stumbling block and foolishness to them 
(i Cor. i:i8) ; 

By means of the death of the cross a bridge is made, which 

brings blessing from God to us and enables us to come 

to Him (Eph. ii :i6) ; 
We glory in Him who bore the cross, and bow in adoration 

before Him as the Lamb who was sacrificed upon it 

(Rev. v:8, 9) ; 

The cross is the House of Mercy (Bethesda), whose heal- 
ing waters cure the malady of sin (i John i :j) ; 

And it will ever rise above the earth, yea, will light heaven, 
for the slain Lamb is the Light of earth, and the glory 
of heaven (Rev. xxi:23). 

Christ went to the place of a skull for us, that He might 
give us a place in the many mansions. 



Good Out of Evil. 

''Out of the eater came forth meat" {Judges xiv.14). 

Science told us one time, "that as rain, and mist, and 
haze of any kind obviously interfere with the passage of 
light, so must rain or fog, of all sorts, deaden sound. 
This was formerly regarded as self-evident. It is now 
known to be absolutely untrue. It has been proved over 
and over again, that when the sky is thickest, when all 
view is lost, and danger may be at hand, and unsuspected, 
then it is that Nature comes to our aid in her own way. 
It is just then that sounds lend us their readiest warning; 
that the approaching train may be heard a mile further 
than usual ; that the horse's footfall, the rattle of the 
wheels, the shout of the human voice — all such sounds* 
ring out with unwonted clearness." 

Does not the above also illustrate, not only the blunder- 
ing of man, but the over-ruling of the Lord in making 
the things which take from us in one way, to minister 
to us in another? 

114 



PEARLS, POINTS AXD PARABLES. 



Thus Joseph would never have reached the place of power 
in Egypt, had he not been put in the place of desertion 
in the pit (Gen. xxxvii 124) ; 

The three Hebrew young men would never have enjoyed the 
special warmth of the Lord's presence, had they not had 
the heat of the fiery furnace (Dan. iii:2i). 

Samson would not have been satisfied with the honey found 
in the lion, had he not had the lion to overcome (Judges 
xiv:s) ; 

Esther would never have been the means of blessing to her 

people, had it not been for the wicked plotting of Haman 

(Esther ix -.24, 25) ; 
The martyrs painful death made it possible to receive the 

crown of life (Rev. iino) ; 
Paul's thorn in the flesh brought the sufficient grace of God 

(2 Cor. xii 7) ; 
And Christ's cross was the precursor to His throne (Luke 

xxiv 126) . 

******** 

Many a bad beginning has had a good ending through 
Divine mending. The bow of God's blessing is seen by 
faith in the dark cloud of man's blunder. 

Good Work. 

"Prepared unto every good work'' (2 Tim. ii:2i). 

In the Freshwater Church there is a marble tablet 
about thirty inches square, fixed into the wall by the lec- 
tern. On this plain, simple tablet there is the following 
in memoriam to Lionel Tennyson, signed "A. T." It 
was almost unnecessary to place the poet's initials under 
these lines, for no one could mistake the Tennysonian 
art of loading a slight song with a large burden of mean- 
ing: 

"Truth for truth is truth he worshipt, being true as he 
was brave : 

Good for good is good he follow 'd, yet he looked beyond 
the grave. 

Truth for truth, and good for good ! The good, the 

true, the pure, the just I 
Take the charm 'for ever' from them, and they crumble 

into dust." 

115 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Among all ranks and degrees in Freshwater, Lionel 
Tennyson is remembered with esteem, admiration, and 
affection. Boatmen, cabdrivers, laborers, lodging-house 
keepers, all regarded his death as a personal loss. 

(1) Abounding — "Abound to every good work" (2 Cor. 
ix:8). 

(2) Fruit — "Fruitful in every good work" (Col. i:io). 

(3) Stablished — "Stablish you in every good * * * work" 
(2 Thess. ii:i7). 

(4) Diligence — "Diligently followed every good work" (1 
Tim. v:io). 

(5) Preparation — "Prepared unto every good work" (2 
Tim. ii :2i). 

(6) Readiness — "Ready to every good work" (Titus iii:i). 

(7) Perfection — "Make you perfect in every good work" 
(Heb. xiii:2i). 

(8) Completion — "He which hath begun a good work in 
you, will perform it" (Phil. i:6). 

Warm hearts, willing hands, and wise heads are needed 
in the Lord's work. If the wise head guides the willing 
hands, and both are influenced by the warm heart of love, 
then we shall be among God's superlatives. 



Greatness of the Lord. 

"Thine, O Lord, is the greatness" (1 Chrott. xxix:ii). 

Little Tommy (who has never been out of White- 
chapel before): "Oh! oh! oh!" Kind lady: "What's 
the matter, Tommy ?" Little Tommy: "Why, what a big 
sky they've got 'ere, miss !" 

What exclamations there would be on the part of God's 

children, if they only knew 
The fullness of the "great love" with which they are loved 

Ephes. ii 14). 

The freedom of the "great salvation" in which they are 

saved (Heb. ii 13). 
The might of the "great power" of the Holy Spirit (Acts 

iv:33). 

Il6 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

The meaning of the ministry of the '''great High Priest" 
Heb. iv:i4). 

The care of the ''great Shepherd" for His sheep (Heb. 
xiii :2o). 

The stimulus of the ''great and precious promises" (2 Peter 

And the glory of the "great city" (Rev. xxi:io), methinks 
they would exclaim, "What a big sky of blessing God 
has for me." 

4: * * ^ i£ * jje- 

"Man's holiness is much-ado-about-nothing." God's 
holiness is Christ-in-everything. 



Hard Places. 

"Thou hast shewed Thy people hard things" (Ps. lx:3). 

"It is related of a New England farmer that he put all 
his combativeness into a rough farm in Massachusetts, 
and made it one of the best. Once a friend said, C I 
should think that with your love of farming you would 
like to have a more productive soil to deal with — in some 
Western State for instance.'* 

"I should hate farming in the West," he said, vigor- 
ously. "I should hate to put my spade into the ground 
where it did not hit against a rock/' 

There are many rocks — hard places — that the Christian 
meets as he uses the spade of daily toil in turning over 
the soil of life. 

Every hard place has its compensation, even as the 
blows of the sculptor chips away the stone to find "the 
angel" in the marble. The following are but a few in- 
stances of some of the hard places and the compensations 
found in them. 

(1) The pit of persecution was a hard place to Joseph, but 
he found that it was a step to the palace of influence 
(Gen. xli:4i). 

(2) The stony pillow of loneliness at Bethel, Jacob found 
was the foundation of the way cast up to heaven (Gen. 
xxviii:i2, 17). 



II/ 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



(3) The Red Sea of difficulty was the precursor of the 
Lord's delivering grace (Exod. xiv 121-28) . 

(4) The Zarephath of trying circumstances was the oppor- 
tunity for the Divine supply (1 Kings xvii:9-i6). 

(5) The desert of discouragement was the forerunner of 
the angel's visit to Elijah (1 Kings xix:5). 

(6) The wilderness of temptation was the place of victory 
to Christ (Matt. iv:ii) ; 

(7) And the Bethany of sorrow brought the comfort and 
sympathy of Christ to the family that He loved (John 
xi:35, 43, 44). 

Difficulties met with God, always prove to be blessings 
from Him. The clouds bring the showers. 

Every letting down in a basket of trial, is the precursor 
to the lifting up to the heaven of revelation (see 2 Corin- 
thians xi:33; xii:i2). 



Heart Disease. 

"Pride of thine heart" (Jer. xlix:i6). 

Students of physiology at an American University have 
dissected the heart of the mammoth elephant, Jumbo, 
who met his death some years ago. This wonderful piece 
of anatomy has been in Dr. Wilder's possession for some 
time, preserved in a barrel of alcohol. It is the largest 
heart in existence, weighing thirty-six and a half pounds, 
and measuring twenty-eight by twenty-four inches. The 
wall of the artery is five-eighths of an inch thick, and 
that of the ventricle three inches thick. 

Gcd has dissected man's heart, and He says of it, that * 
it is, 

Stout with pride (Isa. ix:g), 
Rebellious (Jer. v:23), 
Uncircumcised (Jer. ix:26), 
Deceitful (Jer. xvii:9), 

Il8 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

Stony (Eze. xi:ig), 
Unclean (Matt. xv:i9), 
Impenitent (Rom. ii:5), 
And hard (Mark xvi:i4). 

Pride blinds the mind, curses the soul, warps the judg- 
ment, stifles the conscience, and dulls the moral sense. 



Heart Keeping* 

"Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues 
of life" {Prov. iv.23). 

A very poor countrywoman was handing to an agent 
of the Bible Society her "mites," kept in a jug. More 
than half-a-crown had been gathered in her poverty, 
chiefly in farthings and half-pence. Not liking to take 
the money, the agent said: "Are you sure, Mary, that 
you gave this out of your heart?" "No, sir; indeed, it is 
out of the jug." "Yes, but did it first come out of your 
heart?" "Nay, nay, sir, for it was never there." If 
Christ can keep the heart free from the love of money, 
He can keep it free from any other sin. 

There are some things which should not be in the 
heart, namely, 

Impurity (Eph. v.3), 

Love of money (1 Tim. vi:io), 

Unbelief (Heb. iii:i2), 

Pride (Ps. ci:S), 

Love of the world (1 John ii:i5), 

Envy (James iii:i4), 

And doubting thoughts (Luke xxiv:38). 

Keep in the good company of the Lord's presence, and 
the company will keep you good. 



119 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Heirs Defeat. 

"He shall crush thy head" (Gen. m:iS, Rotherham). 

The strange beauty of the Apocryphal Gospels at their 
best, is perhaps best seen in the story of the "Descent into 
Hades," or, in English mediaeval speech, the ''Harrying 
of Hell." A singular dialogue takes place between Satan 
and "Hades," in which the latter is represented as in 
great fear — "the snatching away of Lazarus beforehand 
seemeth to me to be no good sign, for, not like a dead 
body, but like an eagle, he flew out of me." And in speak- 
ing of Christ's descent into Hades, he says, "And I think 
He is coming here to raise all the dead." Then a great 
light streamed into Hades, that had been dark since the 
Creation. And "our holy father Adam" — this is surely 
a beautiful touch of poetry — gazed "wondering greatly 
on the multitude of his descendants." Then all the saints 
followed the Lord, "and He led them all into the glorious 
grace of Paradise." 

However much we may disagree with the description 
of Christ's descent into Hades, of this we may be sure, 

He has destroyed by His death the authority of him who 

had the power of death (Heb. ii 114). 
He has taken away the strong man's armour (Luke xi:22). 
He has seized the spoil from the strong (Is. Iiii:i2). Lowth's 

rendering. 

He has stripped principalities of powers (Col. ii : 15 correct 
reading). 

He now holds the keys of Hades and death (Rev. i:i8). 
He led in ascensional glory "a multitude of captives" (Eph. 
iv :&, margin) ; 

And we are now come to the "spirits of just men made per- 
fect" (Heb. xii:23). 

If we arm ourselves with the armor of God, we shall 
be preserved from Satanic harm. 

If we are subject to Satan's shaking in temptation, let 
us look to the Lord, then we shall find it will turn to our 
making. 



120 



PEARLS, P0IXT5 AXD PARABLES. 
Holding 1 On. 

'•'Hold fast" (Heb. iv.14). 

"Hold on there," shouted the conductor, as the street 
car jerked off, in starting on its journey. 

"It is all very well to tell us to hold on," observed one 
of the passengers, "but there is nothing to hold to." 
Every strap was held by some passenger, and those who 
crowded on to the car later had no strap to hold to, to 
keep them steady. 

The following things we are exhorted to hold fast : 

(1) The Name of Christ, which means faithfulness to Him 
(Rev. ii:i3) ; 

(2) The Experience of His Grace, which means commu- 
nion with Him (Rev. ii 125) ; 

(3) The Place to which we have Attained, which means 
reward from Him (Rev. iii:ii); 

(4) The Gospel of Salvation, which means assurance by 
means of Him (1 Cor. xv \2, r.v.) ; 

(5) The Good of Grace, which means progress in Him 
(1 Thess. v :2i) ; 

(6) The Confidence of Faith, which means endurance 
through Him (Heb. iii :6) ; 

And (7) The Confession of our Lord's Coming, which 
means appreciation of Him (Heb. x:23, r.v.). 

To "hold the fort" of a consecrated life, there is a needs 
be to be held by the consecrating Christ. 



Holy Carelessness. 

"We are not careful to answer thee" {Dan. m:i6). 

"If He does not care to take me out, I do not care to 
go out. It's not that I'm good ; it's only that I don't care 
for anything He doesn't care for. What would it be that 
all men acquitted me, if God did not trouble Himself 
about His children." 



121 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Thus remarked one who had been imprisoned falsely, 
and who was being condoled with by a friend. Many of 
God's children have had to suffer wrongfully. 

Joseph in prison (Gen. xxxix:2o) ; 

The three Hebrews in the furnace (Dan. iii:2l) ; 

Daniel in the lion's den (Dan. vi:i6); 

Peter imprisoned (Acts xii -.4) ; 

Paul and Silas in jail (Acts xvi:23); 

James beheaded (Acts xii :2) ; 

And last, but not least., Christ Himself (John xix:i8). 
The special recipe for God's children, who are suffering 
wrongfully, is found in 1 Peter ii: 19-22. 

Turn your care into prayer, and you will find that your 
prayer places you under God's care, and He will kill your 
care. 



How to be Happy. 

''Happy is that people whose God is the Lord'' (Elohim is Je- 
hovah — Ps. cxliv.15). 

"I was very happy. I sought comfort from the un- 
known source of my life. He gave me to understand His 
Son, and so I understood Himself, and was comforted." 

The secret of all happiness is the Lord Himself. 

Many want blessing from Christ, and they miss it, because 

they miss Him. 
When the Lord is our Salvation, we are happy in being 

saved (Isa. xii \2) ; 
When He is our S an ctifi cation, then we are happy in His 

holiness (1 Cor. i 130) ; 
When He is our Strength, then we are happy in His power 

(Ps. lxxxiv o) ; 
When He is our Supply, then we are happv in His fulness 

(Phil. iv:i9) ; 

When He is our Shelter, then we are happy in His protec- 
tion (Ps. lxi 13) ; 

122 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

When He is our Satisfaction, then we are happy in His love 
(Ps. lxv:4) ; 

And when He is our Sphere, then we are happy in our en- 
vironment (John xv:io, n). 

jfs . - if: Hf: s|: jj: j|? ■ Hg. 

To see the bleeding Christ is to behold a blessing 
Saviour. We cease to be blessed when we cease to bless. 
There is no sanctification where there is no sacrifice. 



Humility. 

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord" {J as. iviio). 

The frog was wondering how he could get away from 
the cold clime in which he found himself during the win- 
ter. He got into conversation with some wild geese, and 
they suggested he should migrate with them. The diffi- 
culty was, how it could be accomplished, seeing the frog 
had no wings. "You leave it to me," said the frog, "I've 
got a splendid brain." After due deliberation, he got the 
geese to pluck up a strong reed, and, when they had done 
it, he suggested the following. The geese were to each 
of them hold one end of the reed, and he would hold on 
to the middle with his mouth. In due time, the geese and 
the frog started on their migratory journey. When they 
were somewhat on their way, they were passing over a 
village, and the villagers turned out to see such an unu- 
sual sight as that of two geese with a reed in their mouths 
and a frog holding on in the middle by his mouth, and 
they cried, "Oh ! how wonderful, whoever could have in- 
vented such a device?" This remark made the frog so 
self-conscious, and puffed him up with such a sense of his 
importance, that he could not help opening his mouth, 
and exclaiming, "I did it !" His self-advertisement was 
his undoing, for the moment he opened his mouth he let 
go his hold, and fell to the ground to his death. Pride 
will always meet with a fall ; while the Lord always 
crowns the queen of graces— humility — with His blessing. 



123 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

The following are reasons why we should be humble 
and humble ourselves : 

(1) Because sin has humbled us. Our individual body is 
called "the body of our humiliation" (Phil, iii :2i, r.v.). 

(2) Because Christ was humbled for us on the cross — "His 
humiliation" (Acts viii :33). 

(3) Because it is following in the steps of Christ — "He 
humbled Himself" (Phil. ii:8). 

(4) Because it evidences we know the great secret of con- 
tentment — "I know how to be abased* &c," (Phil, 
iv :i2). 

(5) Because the Lord commands it — "Humble yourselves" 
(1 Peter y:6). 

(6) Because it shows we are obedient, for "humility" (Acts 
xx:ig) and "lowliness"* are the garments of grace (Eph. 
iv:2; Phil. 11:3; Col. iii: 12; 1 Peter v:S). 

(7) Because it shows we are yoked with Him, who is 
"meek and lowly* in heart" (Matt. xi:2g). 

(8) Because the Lord has promised grace and salvation 
to the humble (Jas. iv:6; 1 Pet. v :5 ; Luke i:52; Matt, 
xxiii :i2). 

*The same word or a cognate one signifies humility. 
******** 
Meekness is that quality which defies without defiance 
the irritations of the world ; and the secret of meekness is 
found in being in the will of God with the Meek and 
Lowly in heart. 



Ignorance. 

"If thou hadst known" {Luke xix:42). 

A little girl said in a grammar lesson, "The saddest 
thing in all her experience was the subjunctive mood in 
the past perfect tense: Tf I had known, if thou hadst 
known, if he had known, if they had known.' " 

Then she made the comment, "Why did they not know, 
why did not someone tell them?" "Christ used the sub- 
junctive mood when He wept over Jerusalem and said, 
Tf thou hadst known,' " etc. That, indeed, was a sad 
case. 



124 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Ignorance is a soul-destroyer (n Pet. iii:5). 

Ignorance is a blessing-robber (Acts Hi: 17). 

Ignorance is a God-denier (Acts xviii:3o). 

Ignorance is a peace-disturber (Luke xxiv:i6). 

Ignorance is a power-preventer (John 1:26). 

Ignorance is a progress'-retarder (Rom. x:3). 
And Ignorance is a mind-darkener (1 Pet. i:i4). 

If we would be sensitive to the Spirit's leading, then 
we must be responsive to the Soirit's teaching. 



Ignorance of the Unsaved. 

"They know not" (Job. xxiv.16). 

"Men are four: 
He who knows not, and knows not he knows not, 

He is a fool ; shun him. 
He who knows not, and knows he knows not, 
He is simple ; teach him. 
He who knows, and knows not he knows, 

He is asleep ; waken him. 
He who knows, and knows he knows, 
He is wise; follow him." 

The man who "knows not" is in the worst condition of 
all, for he is 

(1) Without Light — "They know not the light" (Job. 
xxiv :i6). 

(2) Without Perception— "They know not, neither will 
they understand" (Ps. lxxxii:5). 

(3) Without Peace — "The way of peace they know not" 
(Isa. lix:8). 

(4) Without the Lord — "They know not Me, saith the 
Lord" (Jer. ix:3; Micah iv:i2). 

(5) Without Right — "They know not to do right" (Amos 
iii :io). 



125 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



(6) Without Knowledge of Christ and His Mission — 
"They know not Him that sent Me" (John xv:2i). 
"They know not what they do" (Luke xxiv:i6). 

(7) Without Guidance — "Ye * * * err, because ye know 
not the Scriptures" (Mark xii:24). 

******** 

Not to know the Lord, whom to know is life eternal, 
is to want the eternal life which comes through knowing 
Him. 



Imitators. 

"Imitators of God as beloved children" (Eph. v:i, r. v.). 

John Wesley was once travelling with a general who 
was angry with his servant. On the man's asking for 
forgiveness for his offense, the general replied: 

"I never forgive !" 

"Then, sir," said Wesley quietly, "I hope you never 
sin !" 

The manner and method of our actions toward others 
are to be based on the Lord's dealings with us. 

We are to forgive as the Lord has forgiven us (Eph. iv:32). 

We are to be perfect in graciousness towards the un- 
thankful, even as the Lord is (Matt, v .-44-48). 

We are to be willing, to give our lives for the Lord's people, 
even as the Lord has given Himself for us (1 John iii :- 

l6 >- ... N 

We are to serve others as the Lord serves us (John xiii:i4>. 

And believers in Christ are to love each other even as 

Christ has loved them (John xiii:34>. 

******** 

Holiness is not Christ and me, but Christ in me. Every 
place is hallowed ground where He is found. 



126 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Jesus Only. 

"Saw no man, Save Jesus only" (Matt. xvii:8). 

In going about New York with some English friends 
on one occasion we saw many curious intimations. 
"Never closed" was the intimation regarding a cafe. 
Night and day a meal could be obtained. How like the 
Throne of Grace: its provision and help are always ob- 
tainable. On a motor beer wagon, we read on its tail- 
board, "Danger, keep off the beer barrels." The warn- 
ing, I presume was to boys who might be inclined to 
swing on behind. There is danger not only in the barrels, 
but in the liquor they contain. Happy are all those who 
keep from the danger. A Mr. Stravinsky announced out- 
side his cafe, "Dinners served to strictly orthodox- friends 
only" Whoever the "orthodox friends" were, they found 
an exclusive brother who would minister to their needs 
alone. The announcement caused me to tell my friends 
the following incident : A hall in the West End of Lon- 
don, where an exclusive sect of Christians met, had the 
following announcement outside of it, "JESUS ONLY." 
A storm of wind and rain played havoc with the notice, 
and tore a piece of the calico away, so that it read, "US 
ONLY." It is a sorry thing when believers are so in- 
flated with conceit and self-religiosity that they think 
they are right and everybody else is wrong. JESUS 
ONLY is right enough when it is applied to Him, but it 
is bad when He is used as a stalking-horse for our own 
notions. Jesus only is well when it means 

Resting on the only foundation (i Cor. 

Being saved through the only name (Acts, iv.12). 

Coming to the Father through the only way (John xiv:6). 

Listening to the only Son (Matt. xvii:s). 

Following the only Shepherd (John x:4). 

Drinking the only living mater (John iv:i4). 

And feeding upon the only satisfying bread (John VL35). 

Christianity is not a system of dogmas, it is summed 
up in a person, as Gladstone said, "Christianity is Christ." 



127 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Joy-filled, 

"These things write we unto you that, your joy may be full" 
(i John i'.4). 

A lady overpowered with joy after listening to the 
Word of God said, "I feel like a cat in cat-nip." "Cat- 
nip V exclaimed the preacher ; "I don't know what you 
mean." It was then explained that cats love to roll in a 
certain herb, which they eat when sick ; and that they are 
so pleased when they find themselves in cat-nip that they 
roll and gamble for very joy. It was a very expressive 
way to denote her joy. 

Certainly the child of God has every reason to be joyful. 

His sins are forgiven (i John ii:i2). 

His peace is made (Col. i:2o). 

His life is hid (Col. iii:3). 

His inheritance is kept (i Pet. i:4). 

His need is supplied (Phil. iv:i9). 

His trials are compensations (n Cor. iv:i7). 

And his way is watched (Job xxiiino). 

The joy of the Lord comes to those who follow the 
Lord of the joy. Joy-finders are Lord-followers. 



Kept by Christ. 

"He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him" 
(2 Tim. i:i2). 

On one occasion Dr. Dale was asked by a Roman Cath- 
olic priest, whom he greatly respected, when he was 
going to cease from public work and begin to look after 
his soul. Dale's reply was not only characteristic of the 
man, but an index of the difference between the two re- 
ligious ideals. "I have given my soul to Christ to look 
after, and He can do it much better than I can." 



128 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Christ's love keeps the soul love-full (n Cor. v:i4). 

His joy keeps the heart joyful (John xv:ii). 

His peace keeps the mind restful (Phil. iv:7). 

His truth keeps the life healthful (John xvii:i7). 

His mercies keep the inner being praiseful (Ps. ciii : I, 2). 

His grace keeps the spirit powerful (11 Cor. xii:9). 

And His glory keeps the outlook cheerful (Col. iii:4). 

Concentrate your faith on Christ by following only 
Him, and He will consecrate you in His grace in making 
you like to Him. 



Kept for Christ. 

"Preserved (r. v. "Kept for") in Jesus Christ" {Jude £.)• 

"I am just like a packet that is all ready to go by train 
— packed, corded, labelled, paid for, and on the platform, 
waiting for the express to come by, and take me to glory," 
so said the late James Smith, of Cheltenham, as he was 
lying on his bed of sickness. Can we not see a parable 
in the simile used? 

Every true child of God is "packed" up in the beautiful 
covering of the Christ of God (11 Cor. v:2i). 

"Corded" by the imperishable cords of the love of God 
(Hosea xi:4). 

"Labelled" with the unmistakable seal of the earnest of the 

Spirit of God (Eph. i:i3). 
"Paid for" by the unparalleled price of the blood of the 

Son of God (1 Cor. vi:2o). 
"On the platform" of the unique grace of God (Rom. v:2). 
"Waiting" for the express of the coming of the Beloved of 

God (Phil. iii:2o, 21). 
And then to be taken into the splendour of the glory of 

God (Rev. xxi:io, 11). 

******** 

The Lord finds His portion in the saints, as well as the 
saints rinding their portion in Him. 

129 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Kept Momentarily. 

"I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment" 
(Is. xxvii:?,). 

One of the most interesting things in hymnology is the 
origin of a hymn. We will refer to the one written by 
the late Major Whittle, known as "Moment by moment/' 
the first verse of which is : 

"Dying with Jesus, by death reckoned mine; 
Living with Jesus, a new life Divine ; 
Looking to Jesus, till glory doth shine — 
Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine." 

Major Whittle was led to write this hymn in the fol- 
lowing manner. During the World's Fair at Chicago, in 
a meeting, the hymn, "I need Thee every hour," was 
sung. When the meeting was over, as the people were 
dispersing, Henry Varley put his arm round the should- 
ers of the Major, and said to him, "I am not satisfied 
with Christ every hour, I need Him every moment. 3 ' 
Whereupon the Major went home and sat on into the 
small hours of the morning, penning the above hymn, 
which has been an inspiration to many and a blessing to 
all who have heard it. 

The constancy and comfort of the Lord's keeping is 
beautifully and blessedly emphasized in Ps. cxxi. 

(1) The Fact of His Keeping—The Lord is thy keeper." 

(2) The Vigilance of His Keeping — "Shall neither slumber 
nor sleep." 

(3) The Comfort of His Keeping—The Lord is thy 
Shade." 

(4) The Time of His Keeping— '"Day * * * Night." 

(5) The Holiness of His Keeping— -"Preserve thee from 
all Evil." 

(6) The Inness of His Keeping— "He shall preserve thy 

soul." 



130 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

(7) The Continuance of His Keeping — "The Lord shall 
preserve thy going out and thy coming in, from this 
time forth and even for evermore." 

If we look up to the Lord and delight in Him. we shall 
have no time to look doum and get into the dumps. 



Kindness. 

"I will surely shew thee kindness' (2 Sam. ix:j). 

Robert Louis Stevenson wrote in a letter: "It is the 
history of our kindnesses that alone make the world tol- 
erable. If it were not for that, for the effect of kind 
words, kind looks, kind letters, multiplying, spreading, 
making one happy through another, and bringing forth 
benefits, some thirty, some fifty, some a thousandfold, I 
should be tempted to think our life a practical jest in the 
worst possible spirit." 

"Kindnesses," says J. R. Miller, "are the small coins of 
love. We should always be ready to scatter these bright 
coins wherever we go. Kindnesses are usually little 
things that we do as we go along the way." 

"They are little, simple things to do — 

To sweep a room, to bake a loaf of bread, 
Kiss a hurt finger, tie a baby's shoe, 

To mend a crying schoolboy's broken sled. 

"Such little, simple things. But they above, 
Who on our little world attendant wait; 
And joyful wait, note only if through love 
The deed be done, to count the work as great." 

We do not know the value of these little acts, or their 
far-reaching influence. In the parable, we are told how 
a mustard seed grew into a tree, amid whose branches 
the birds perched and sang. It is said that the fuchsia 

131 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



was first introduced into England by a sailor boy, who 
brought a single plant from some foreign country as a 
present for his mother. She put it in her modest window, 
and it became an attraction to all who passed by. From 
that little plant came all the fuchsias in England. The 
boy did not know when, in loving thought for his mother, 
he carried home the little plant, what a beautiful thing he 
was doing, what a ministry of good he was starting, how 
widely the influence of his simple thought of love would 
reach. We never know when we do any smallest thing in 
love for Christ what the end of it will be, what a harvest 
of good will come from it. 

Kindness is God-like in its action and proves we know 
His love to us — 'See Titus iii -.4, and Eph. ii 7. 

Kindness is a part in God's chorus of grace, which faith 
adds to itself (2 Pet. i:?). 

Kindness is obligatory to faith, for we are exhorted to 
''Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly 
love" or kindness (Rom. xii:io; Heb. xiiin). 

"Unfeigned love" or kindness is to be the character of our 
actions (1 Pet. 1:22). 

Kindness is one of the traits of the Holy Spirit's fruit (Gal. 
v.22), and the garb of the new man (Col. iii:i2). 

"A word spoken pleasantly is a large spot of sunshine 
on a sad heart." Therefore, "give others the sunshine, 
tell Jesus the rest." 



Kisses of Love. 

"Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth" (Song of 
Sol. i'.z). 

"Nurse," piped a little squeally voice; "Nurse, why , 
did you kiss me ?" so exclaimed a wee laddie to the nurse 
in Dr. Barnado's Home. Before the answer could be 
given, he himself repeated, "It was nice ; but why did you, 
nurse?" And the good woman, who had been trying to 
keep the tears back, simply stooped down, and whispered 



132 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



to him, "Dear little Ted, you are all alone; you have no 
mother ; you have no one to visit you, and to love you. 
But I love you, that is why — " and she kissed him again. 
The child's worn face became irradiated with a light of 
love to which it had hitherto been a stranger ! But pres- 
ently the boy, looking at his nurse, heaved a deep sigh — a 
sigh that was heard all over the ward, and that came 
from a little sad but glad heart, which could not banish 
memory ! And then he exclaimed in a voice, as if he must 
tell nurse that he understood, and was not ungrateful: 
"But — but" (there was a but) "nobody never kissed me 
afore," explained the little chap ; and then his eyes were 
closed again, and his hands clasped firmly the kind hand 
of his new-found friend. 

The prayer of the child of God, as he is in communion 
with the Beloved, is, "Let Him kiss me with the kisses 
of His mouth" (Song of Solomon 1:2), and He responds 
by giving us 

The kiss of reconciliation, as the father did the prodigal 

(Luke xv:2o). 
The kiss of welcome, as Laban did Jacob (Gen. xxix:i3). 
The kiss of fellowship, as Joseph did his brethren (Gen. 

xly:i5). 

The kiss of greeting, as Aaron did Moses (Ex. iv.27). 
The kiss of love, as David did Jonathan (1 Sam. xx:4i). 
The kiss of friendship, as David did Barzillai (11 Sam. 
xix :39) . 

And the kiss of approval, to those who act rightly (Pro. 
xxiv 126) . 

S|S 5jl ijj jfc'jjs jfc jjc ;{S 

If we cannot be apostles to go to the regions beyond, 
we can all be epistles to live and labor like Christ where 
we are. 

Leaving- out the "Not." 

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall no. want" (Ps. xxiii'.l). 

A minister once called on an aged woman to read and 
pray with her. She commenced to tell him her trou- 
bles and poverty, and said she felt sure she should come 



133 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



to want. The good man said nothing in reply, but asked 
for the Bible as he would like to read to her. He chose 
the 23rd Psalm, and began reading thus: "The Lord is 
my Shepherd, I shall want." "Stop, stop," said the old 
woman, "it isn't put like that in my Bible, read it again." 
He did so, repeating it as he read it before, whereupon 
she took the Book from his hand, and looked for herself. 
She manifested great delight on rinding that the word 
"not," was there. She took the reproof so wisely admin- 
istered, and never again said that she should want. 

To leave out the "not" of some of God's "shall nots" 
would turn our heaven to hell. Think of the following: 

(1) Salvation — "Shall not come into condemnation" (John 
v:24). 

(2) Sanctification — "Sin shall not have dominion over 
you" (Rom. vi:i4). 

(3) Stability — "Shall not be moved" (Ps. xvi:8). 

(4) Satisfaction — "Shall not be taken from her" (Luke 
x:42). 

(5) Shining — "Shall not walk in darkness" (John viii:i2). 

(6) Success — "He shall not fail nor be discouraged" (Is. 
xlii 14). 

And (7) Assurance — "Shall not be put to shame" (Rom. 
x :n). 

3|* 5)c j|c 5|i ijc S$C 2§C 

If we shamble with God's Word and prayer, we shall 
soon ramble where the devil will scare. 



Let; Let: Let: 

"Let him hear what the Spirit saith" (Rev. m:6). 

Archdeacon Madden, of Warrington, was sitting in his 
study, and heard a succession of noises overhead. Going 
into the nursery, his little son was hoisting the Venetian 
blind, and letting it fall, with a bang, to a chant, "Let 
the sunshine in!" He went back unseen, and drew in- 
spiration from the words, "The time of the singing of 
birds has come." 



134 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

Some of the Holy Spirit's "Lets" are full of meaning, 
and we shall know they are if we let them operate. 

Christ's Humble Mind — "Let this mind be in you, which 
was also r n Christ Jesus" (Phil. ii:5), by letting Christ 
be your Mind. 

Christ's Keeping Peace — "Let the peace of Christ rule in 

your hearts" (Col. iii : 15 ) , by allowing Christ to be the 

Arbitator in all things. 
Christ's Instructing Word — "Let the Word of Christ 

dwell in you" (Col. iii: 16), by letting Christ be the 

Teacher. 

Christ's Seasoning Grace — "Let your speech be always with 
grace, seasoned with salt" (Col. iv:6), by letting Christ 
be your Seasoning. 

Christ Perfecting Love — "Let us go on to perfection (Heb. 
vi:i), by being borne on by His love. 

Christ's Attractive Person — "Let us run the race with 
patience, looking unto Jesus" (Heb. xii:i). 

Christ's Hallowing Company — "Let us go forth therefore 
unto Him" (Heb. xiii 113) , for He is hallowed and 
hallows all who come in contact with Him. 

******** 

When we hearken to the voice of the Spirit in His 
Word, then we know the vitality of the Spirit in our 
hearts. 



Life Hooks. 

"Prepared unto every good work" (2 Tim. ii:2i). 

"In the London docks may be seen 'life hooks,' hanging 
ready for use at a moment's notice, for the rescue of the 
drowning; they are consecrated to this one service, and 
hence, have a sacredness attached to them ; to tamper with 
them is to subject yourself to a heavy penalty, and this is 
right." 



135 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Every believer should be an instrument, ready for the 
Master's use. 

He should be a ''sharp threshing instrument" (Isa. xli:i5). 

A "vessel meet" (n Tim. ii:2i). 

A "polished shaft" flsa. xlix:2). 

A fruitful branch (John xv:S). 

A legible epistle (n Cor. iii:2). 

A faithful witness (Acts i:8). 

And a true ambassador (n Cor. v:2o). 

Nobility and ability are two good bilities to possess, 
especially if they are nobility of character and the ability 
of grace. 



Life in Christ. 

"He that hath the Son hath life" (i John v.12). 

Dr. Magee, in speaking of the life of the Christian, 
says: ''The life of the Christian is not a natural, but a 
supernatural life. Christ established on earth a kingdom, 
within which is to be found that which is not to be found 
beyond its limits." In a word, we claim for Christianity, 
that it is not a code of morals merely, nor a philosophy, 
nor a creed, nor a system of religious discipline ; but that, 
over and above all these, it is a life, a new vital force in 
the world, and that this vital force is in the Christ we 
worship. 

That Christianity is a "life" may be seen if we take 
but seven words in the tenth chapter of John. 

(1) The "saved" of complete deliverance from sin's control 
and consequences through Christ's merit and mercy. 

(2) The "in and out" of hallowed fellowship in life's wor- 
ship and work. 

(3) The "pasture" which is the outcome and reward of 
walking with the Lord and in His Word (John x:9>. 

(4) The "hear" of attentive faith to the Saviour's voice, 
which expresses itself in obedience to His Word. 

136 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

(5) The "follow" of the walk of holiness in treading in 
the footsteps of Christ's example (John x:27). 

(6) The "know" of the Shepherd's personal acquaintance 
with each of His blood-bought sheep, and the "know" 
of the sheep's acquaintance with their Leader (John x: 
4, 14, 27). 

And (7) the "My hand" and "the Father's hand" of love's 
powerful grip to keep the sheep to, and for, Him- 
self (John x:28, 29). 

jj: sfc * * sfc jjs * 

The Christian life is not a label to put on, but a life to 
be lived out. Christ is the Life and the Liver-out. 



Life in Deatk. 

"Be filled in the Spirit"' (Eph. v.18, R. V., mar.) 

The maintenance of spiritual life in an atmosphere 
poisonous to the spirit, is the practical problem of the 
Christian in this world of sin. It can be done only 
through the inbreathing of the Holy Spirit. A most in- 
teresting parallel of this is to be found in an account of 
an invention by Dr. Eugene Erlwein. He has patented a 
railroad car in which fish may be transported alive though 
entirely removed from the water, so that "fish alive and 
kicking" may now be received at any distance from the 
waters in which they are captured. In other words, the 
salmon of the Columbia, the trout of the Maine, the bass 
of Florida, may be shipped to any part of the United 
States with as great facility as a bale of hay or a crate 
of oranges. And when the fish reach their destination 
they are as lively as if they were in their native element, 
although they have not seen the water since they were 
taken from the sea or river." This is done by keeping 
the fish in oxygen, with or without the use of water. In 
the fish car, the fish are kept in a small amount of water, 
which is constantly circulated through a machine which 
extracts the carbonic acid gas and charges it with oxygen. 



137 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

In like manner the Christian lives a spiritual life in an 
atmosphere deadly to the unprotected spirit, because the 
Spirit of God, like oxygen, is breathed into him in the 
constant exercise of prayer and communion with God. 

The following seven Scriptures give some little idea of 
what is found as we are found in the atmosphere of the 
Spirit. The Greek preposition "en" is found in each sen- 
tence, and is given in italics : 

(1) Power— "Cast out demons by the Spirit" (Matt, xii: 
28). 

(2) Joy — "Joy in the Holy Ghost" (Rom. xiv:i7). 

(3) Holiness — "Sanctified by the Holy Ghost" (Rom. xv: 
16). 

(4) Access — "Access by one Spirit" (Eph. ii:i8). 

(5) Prayer — "Praying in the Spirit" (Eph. vi:i8; Jude 
20). 

(6) Love— 'Love in the Spirit" (Col. i:8). 

And (7) Ministry— "In the Holy Ghost" (1 Thess. 1:5). 

Respond to the ability of God by prayer, and that will 
cause you to abound in activity for Him. 



Life which is worth Living*. 

"Life Indeed" (1 Tim. vi:ig, R. V.). 

One has said, "Life is short — only four letters in it. 
Three-quarters of it is a 'lie' and half of it is an 'if.'" 
We may add, by transposing the letters you can make it 
into a "Hie!' The child of God can make something bet- 
ter of the word life by making an acrostic on it in asso- 
ciation with Christ, and say, 

L — "Living in Christ, I am saved" (Rom. viiin, 2). 

I — "Instructed by Christ, I am rested" (Matt. xi:2Cj). 

F — "Following after Christ, I have fellowship with Him" 

(John xii:24-26). 
E — "Enduring through Christ, I am victorious" (Phil, iv:- 

* I3) ' * * 

He who possesses eternal life need not advertise the 
fact; but the life proclaims itself in acts of love. 

138 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Living* after Death. 

"Their works do follow them" {Rev. xiv.13). 

No useful Christian leaves this world without being- 
missed. When Josephine was carried out to her grave, 
there were a great many women of pride and position 
who went out after her; but I am most affected by the 
story that 2,000 of the poor of France followed her coffin, 
wailing until the air rang again, because they had lost 
their last earthly friend. "Blessed are the dead who die 
in the Lord ; they rest from their labors, and their works 
do follow them !" 

There are certain individuals who are mentioned in 
the New Testament, whose works are following them, 
by the influence they have, and are exerting. 

(1) Abraham the believer (James ii:2i). 

(2) Stephen the faithful (Acts vi:5). 

(3) Mary the devoted (Mark xiv:9). 

(4) Dorcas the useful (Acts 1^:36-42). 

1 (5) Epaphras the prayerful (Col. iv:i2). 

(6) John the loving (John xiii:23). 

(7) Paul the consecrated (Phil, iii 17-14) . 

******** 

The memory of the wicked is like a dead tree, it soon 
decays and is forgotten ; but the savour of a holy life is 
like radium, it is indestructible in its beneficence and in- 
fluence. 



Living* Name, but a Dead Life. 

"Thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead" {Rev. 

"Right opinion, except it springs from obedience to the 
truth, is but so much rubbish on the golden floor of the 
temple." So says one of our modern writers. Right 
opinion should be as the rudder to the ship, supposing al- 
ways the opinion is born of the truth of God, 



139 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



guiding to right action. But to hold the truth, so as to 
have a correct view of it only, and not be held by it, that 
it may be lived out, is to be wrong. 

Right opinion, without a corresponding action, is, 

To have companionship with king Saul in his disobedience 

(i Sam. xv:22, 23). 
To be like the man who built his house on the sand (Matt. 

vii 126). 

Like the disobedient son, who promised to do, and did not 

(Matt. xxi:3o). 
Like Israel, who observed rites and ceremonies, but who 

were displeasing to Jehovah (Isa. 1:13, 14). 
Like Judas, who, while being in the company of Christ, 

was acting against Him (John xiii:27). 
Not like those of whom Christ speaks, when He speaks of 

those who are His near relations (Matt. xii:5o); 

and not like His true disciples (John viii :3i ) . 



The measure of the power we possess is to be gauged 
by the weight of our character. What we are, tells ; not 
what we say. To have the voice of prate, and not the 
virtue of practise, is to be a hypocrite. 



Located. 

"In Christ Jesus" (Eph. 

Having to visit St. Louis during the World's Fair,* 
I was rather amused at being asked by a man, "Have 
you got your location, sir?" He meant, had I secured 
apartments. He evidently took me for a visitor to the 
World's Fair, and thought I was looking for a lodging. 
A Christian does not need a location, for he is in the 



140 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



best of locations, being in "Christ." (2 Cor. v:i7) ; and 
being in Christ, he should be careful to locate himself 

In the love of God for inspiration (Jude 21). 
In the truth of God for sanctification (11 John 4). 
In the Spirit for preservation (Gal. v:i6). 
In the peace of God for pacification (Phil. iv:7). 
In the Lord for exultation (Phil. iii:i). 
In the faith for opposition (1 Pet. v:9). 
And in the grace of God for inudation (11 Tim. ii:i). To 
be located in Him is to be in the best of locations. 

It is not the man that makes the Christian, it is the 
Christ in the man that makes the man a Christian. 



Look beneath the Surface. 

"Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous 
judgment" (lohn vii\2^). 

Mr. Roosevelt, when President of the United States, 
made an inspection of the immigrant station at Ellis 
Island. He was pointed out to a German woman as the 
President. 

She could not be made to understand the terms, so 
"Kaiser," or "Chief" of the Americans was suggested 
to her. 

This she understood, and pulling out a dollar-note from 
her pocket, she made a deep study of the Indian in full 
war-paint and feathers whose vignette is portrayed there- 
on. 

She then looked at the President, once more gazed at 
the dollar-note, and, seeing no resemblance between the 
Indian and Mr. Roosevelt, burst into laughter, and cried 
out in German: "You can't fool me!" 

In her ignorance the woman judged that the man be- 
fore her should correspond to the figure on the dollar- 
note. We often make a similar mistake when we judge 
things from a standpoint of our own, or by what seems 
to be. 



141 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



(1) Lot thought the well-watered plain of Sodom was the 
best place for occupation, but he found it led to soul 
vexation and loss (Gen. xiii:io; n Pet. ii:8). 

(2) Ahab summed up Elijah as a troubler and an "enemy," 
but he was himself what he thought the prophet was 
(1 Kings xviii:i7; xxi:2o). 

(3) Job was misrepresented by his friends, when they 
said the reason of God's chastisement upon him was 
because of sin committed (Job viii:6), whereas God 
was but testing His servant. 

(4) Peter judged he was doing God's service when he 
urged Christ to "pity Himself" and keep from the 
cross, whereas he was the instrument of Satan in seek- 
ing to keep Christ from Calvary (Matt, xvi :22, margin). 

(5) The friends of Christ thought He was "beside himself," 
because of His peculiar and powerful ministry (Mark 
iii:2i) they were ignorant of His Divine personality 
and work. 

(6) Festus- said Paul was "mad," because of nis holy 
enthusiasm and boldness in declaring the gospel — he 
did not know that he himself was wrong, therefore 
not capable of judging (Acts xxvi -.24, 25). 

(7) Simon Magus judged that the working of the Holy 
Spirit was some new kind of sorcery, and that he 
could be initiated into its secret if he paid for the 
knowledge (Acts viii:i8-22). 

(8) And the apostles were judged to be upsetters of the 
order of things, whereas they who thought they "turned 
the world upside-down" were wrong-side up themselves 
(Acts xvii:6). 

**** **** 

The best way to make all sure is to keep all pure. 



Love's Action and Attitude. 

"Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them 
that fear Him" (Ps. ciii:i3). 

"Why don't you walk straight?" said an angry nurse 
to a wee mite of a girlie, who had fallen down, through 
her want of attention ; and she accompanied her interro- 
gation with a vigorous shake, which made the poor child 
cry with intensity. 



142 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

I could not help thinking that our heavenly Father, 
when He picks us up, through our own fault in falling, 
never deals with us after the fashion of the rough shake 
of the nurse. 

(1) With every expression of regret, there is a promise 
of help (Hosea xiii':c)). 

(2) With every rebuke of love, there is a pledge of restor- 
ation (Jer. iii:20-22). 

(3) With every question of enquiry, there is an answer 
of grace (Gen. iv:6, 7). 

(4) With every stroke of chastisement, there is a pur- 
pose of love (Jer. xxxi:i8). 

(5) With every cry of disappointment, there is a revela- 
tion of mercy (Matt, xxiii -.37). 

(6) W T ith every call to duty, there is a promise of bless- 
ing (Jer. i:7, 8). 

(7) And with every move of Satan, there is a counter- 
move by Christ (Luke xxii:3i, 32; 11 Cor. xii 7-9) 

Love is an eradicator and an indicator, for it not only 
expels the evil, but it also compels to obedience. 



Love's Bauds. 

"Bands of Love" (Hosea xi:£). 

"There are four kinds of love," so said a friend in 
course of conversation. 

'The Perfect loving the Perfect, 
The Imperfect loving the Imperfect, 
The Perfect loving the Imperfect, 
The Imperfect loving the Perfect." 

The Father loving the Son proves the first (John iii:35). 

The Pharisees loving the uppermost seats, and Demas lov- 
ing the world illustrates the second (Luke XL43; 2 Tim. 
iv:io). 

God loving the world is evidence of the third (John iii :i6) . 
and the believer loving the LORD proclaims the fourth 
(1 John iv:i9). 

143 



PEARLS, POINTS AXD PARABLES. 



The Perfect loving the imperfect is illustrated in the 
bands of Love's binding. 

The two main bands of love which hold the saints to 
the Lord, are. the fact of it, and its manner. The fol- 
lowing seven bands of love bind us to His heart. 

(1) Christ's Life illustrates His Love. On seven different 
occasions we read of Christ being "moved with compas- 
sion." (i) When He saw the crowd as harassed and 
tired sheep (Matt. 1x136); (2) when He beheld the 
people discouraged because of John's death (Matt. 
xiv:i4): (3) when the people were faint with hunger 
(Matt, xv 132); (4) when He looked upon the sightless 
eyes of the blind men; (5) when He heard the cry of 
the beseeching leper (Mark 1:41); (6) when He saw 
the man possessed with demons (Mark x:ig) : and (7) 
when He looked upon the tears of the sorrowing 
mother (Luke vii:i3). There is no need too great for 
Him to meet, no weariness that He cannot rest, no discour- 
agement that He cannot remove, no hunger that He 
cannot satisfy, no ignorance that He cannot enlighten, 
no disease that He cannot cleanse, no demon that He 
cannot expel and no sorrow that He cannot comfort. 

(2) His Cross Displays His Love (Gal. ii:2o: Eph. v :2, 25). 
As we gaze upon the cross the whole being of Christ 
speaks with substitutionary love, and the whole environ- 
ment is replete with vicarious suffering ! His heart of 
love bleeds in death, to cleanse us ; His hands of love 
are wounded, to heal us ; His feet of love are nailed, to 
release us; His side of love is pierced, to assure us; His 
back of love is lacerated, to endow us ; His body of 
love is stripped, to clothe us; His lips of love are 
parched, to bless us ; His tongue of love is agonized, to 
calm us ; His head of love is cursed with thorns, to 
crown us; His cross of love is shameful, to enrich us; 
and His death of love is awful, to quicken us. 

The whole surroundings of the cross throb with love. The 
darkened heavens are bright with love's joy; the rend- 
ing rocks are opened with love's grace; the cruel tree 
is blooming with love's fruit; the hate of man is the 
dark background for love's action: the malice of hell 
is the opportunity for love's triumph ; the mockery of 
the crowd is the call for love's patience ; and the suffer- 
ing for sin unfolds the provision of love's grace. 

(3) His grace confirms His Love. Loved, loosed, and 
lifted are the suggested thoughts as we listen to the 



144 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



music of Love's action: "Unto Him that loved us and 
washed us from our sins in His own blood and made 
us kings and priests unto God" (Rev. i:5). Loved 
with a love which is continuous in blessing (R. V. 
"Loveth") ; "loosed" (r. v.) from all binding influences 
that are enslaving in their hold ; and lifted to the honor 
and dignity of kingly and priestly service. The colored 
man said, "grace means, receiving everything for noth- 
ing." Love blesses us with its blessing (Eph. 1:3), 
benefits us with its grace (2 Cor. ix:8), beautifies us 
with its clothing (Eph. vi:io-i6), brightens us with 
its joy (Luke xv:24) > bequeathes us with its riches 
(Phil. iv:i8), binds us to its affection (Eph. ii:/), and 
builds us with its truth (Acts xx:32). 

His Truth affirms His Love. Christ loves His own to 
the end (John xiii:i). The word "telos" rendered 
"end" in John xiii:i, is translated "uttermost" in 1 Thess. 
ii:i6. He loves to the uttermost of our need, and to 
the uttermost of His grace. The use of "telos" where 
it is rendered "end" may illustrate what love has done, 
is doing, and will yet do. The end of love's work was, 
that Christ might be "the end of the law for righteous- 
ness" (Rom. x :4) ; the end of love's bestowment is 
that the Lord might lead us through the path of holi- 
ness to "the end" of everlasting life (Rom. vi 122) ; 
Love's service is to confirm us "unto the end" of all 
His requirement (1 Cor. i :8) ; and Love's name is the 
assurance that He will accomplish all His plan, for He 
is "the Beginning and the End" (Rev. i:8; 21, 6; 22, 13). 
Whom Love takes up, Love never gives up. His Love, 
as He assures us in His Word, is, Divine in its na- 
ture (1 John iv:8), eternal in its character (Jer. xxxi:3), 
constant in its affection (S. S. viii:7), tender in its 
regard (John xi:36), faithful in its service (John 
xvii:i7), practical in its discipline (Heb. xii:6), and 
powerful in its keeping (Deut. xxxiii:3). 

Christ's Contemporaries testify to His Love. John 
the apostle tells of Christ's particular love for Martha, 
Mary and Lazarus, and when the Jews saw Christ 
weeping at the grave of Lazarus, they said, "Behold 
how He loved him/' and Christ commands us "to love 
each other even as He loves us (John xi:5, 36; xiii:23). 
He does not lose us in the crowd. He generally uses 
the personal pronoun "thou" or "thee" and not the 
plural "you." "I will, be thou clean," He said to the 
leper (Mark 1:41), "To-day, thou shalt be with Me 
in Paradise" was His promise to the dying thief (Luke 



145 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



xxiii:43). He recognized what the little girl affirmed, 
when in reply to her brother's question, what loving 
one another meant, "why you are one and I am the 
other." Christ is the One who always loves the other. 

(6) Christ's Spirit imparts His Love. The love of God 
is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 
v:5). The intensity of love's operation may be better 
understood when we see the use of the Greek word 
"ekchuno." The word is rendered "spilled" in Luke v:37; 
"gushed out" in Acts i:i8, "poured out" in Acts x:45, and 
"ran greedily" in Jude ii. The Spirit of God is the im- 
parter to infuse and inflame with the love of God. When 
He burns with Holy intensity, there will be the flame of 
constant loyality. 

(7) Christ's Operation through us demonstrates His love. 
The watchword of Paul was, "The Love of Christ 
constraineth us" (2 Cor. 17:14). Here again we have 
an expressive word. The word is translated "throng" 
in speaking of a pressing crowd, "held" in describing a 
a detaining force (Luke xxii:63), "Pressed" in stating 
Paul's being held by the Spirit's power (Acts xviii:S), it 
is used to describe a person in a "strait" place (Phil. 
i:23) and of one "taken with" a fever (Luke iv:38). 
The love of Christ is a power to move us in holiness 
of life, a pressure to confine in the will of God, as a 
guard to confine in the truth, a hand to detain us for 
the service of God, and an enviroment in which the 
graces of the Spirit thrive. 

Love's binding is our blessing, for He, who is Love, 
binds us to Himself and makes us like Himself. When 
He loves in us, He always loves to purpose. 



Love's Endurance. 

"Love * * * endureth all things" (1 Cor. xni:y). 

The following is related of one Solomon Eccles, who 
was committed to prison for refusing to swear, and who 
while in prison was scoffed at by one Evans. Evans 
pulled off his hat in a scoffing manner to Solomon, who 
thereupon advised him to be sober. "This put the man in 
a chafe, and he struck Solomon a violent blow on the 



146 



PEARLS, POIXTS AXD PARABLES. 



cheek, upon which Solomon turned to him the other 
cheek, and he struck him again on that. Solomon again 
turned to him the other, and he again struck him the 
third time. All of which Solomon bore patiently, thus 
literally performing the precept of Christ, and obtaining 
a Christian conquest over his opposer." 

Endurance is ever an evidence of the work of grace, 
and the reality of faith. The stony ground hearer en- 
dures "for a time" (Mark iv:i/), but there is no lasting- 
ness. The links in the golden chain of endurance are as 
follows : 

(1) The Example of Endurance is Christ, and we are ex- 
horted to "consider Him" who "endured the cross" 
and "endured * * * contradiction" (Heb. xii -.2, 3). 

(2) The Power of Endurance is the Lord, for He says, 
"I make to endure" (Psa. lxxxix:2g, 36). 

(3) The Secret of Endurance is faith in God, as Moses 
found, who "endured as seeing Him who is invisible" 
(Heb. xi:27). 

(4) The Witness of Endurance is borne as we "endure 
hardness," "endure all things," and "endure afflictions," 
(n Tim. ii:3, 10; iv:5). 

(5) The Worship of Endurance is evidenced as we "endure 
grief, for this is acceptable" (1 Pet. ii : 19, r. v.). 

(6) The Blessedness of Endurance is emphasised by the 
Spirit when He says, "Blessed is the man that endureth 
temptation" (Jas. i:i2; v:ii). 

(7) The Reward of Endurance is illustrated in Abraham, 
who "after he had patiently endured, obtained the 
promise" (Heb. vi:i5). 

Love is never concerned about its ease, it loves to 
sacrifice itself for others, and is never concerned about 
its sacrifice. 



Love's Example. 

"Because He laid down His life for us, we ought to lay down 
our lives for the brethren" (1 John m:i6). 
In George MacDonald's Mary Marston, he represents 
Mary talking to Mr. Redmain, who is conscious of his 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



past wicked life, as he is face to face with death. He 
asks her the question: "You think God answers prayer, 
do you ?" 
"I do." 

"Then I wish you would ask Him to let me off — I 
mean, to let me die right out when I do die. What's the 
good of making a body miserable?" 

"That, I am sure it would be of no use to pray for. 
He certainly will not throw away a thing He has made 
because that thing may be foolish enough to prefer the 
dust-hole to the cabinet." 

"Wouldn't you do it now, if I asked you?" 

"I would not. I would leave you in God's hands 
rather than inside the gate of heaven." 

"I don't understand you. And you wouldn't say so if 
you cared for me ! Only, why should you care for me !" 

"I would give my life for you." 

"Come now ! I don't believe that." 

"Why, I couldn't be a Christian if I wouldn't!" 

"You are getting absurd !" he cried. But he did not 
look exactly as if he thought it. 

"Absurd!" repeated Mary. "Isn't it that what makes 
Him our Saviour? How could I be His disciple, if I 
wouldn't do as He did?" 

"You are saying a good deal !" 

"Can't you see that I have no choice?" 

"/ wouldn't do that for anybody under the sun !" 

"You are not His disciple; you have not been going 
about with Him." 

"And you have?" 

"Yes, for many years. Besides, I cannot help thinking 
there is One for whom you would do it." 

"If you mean my wife, you never were more mis- ' 
taken. I would do nothing of the sort." 

"I did not mean your wife. I mean Jesus Christ." 

"O, I daresay ! Well, perhaps ! if I knew Him as you 
do, and if I were quite sure He wanted it done for Him." 

"He does want it done for Him — always and every 



148 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



day — not for His own sake, though it does make Him 
very glad. To give up your way for His is to die for 
Him ; and when anyone will do that, then He is able to 
do anything for him ; for then, and not till then, He 
gets such a hold of him that He can lift him up, and 
set him down beside Himself." 

To act like Christ proves we are Christ's. 

Love's Walk — "Walk as He walked" (i John ii:6). 
Love's Place — M Walk in the light as He is in the light" 
(i John i:7). 

Love's Grace — "Forgiving one another, even as God for 

Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (Eph. iv:32). 
Love's Service — "I * * * washed your feet, ye ought to 

wash one another's feet" (John xiii:i4). 
Love's Purity — "Purifieth himself, even as He is pure" 

(i John iii 13 ) . 
Love's Endurance — "An Example, that ye should follow His 

steps" (1 Pet. ii:2i). 
Love's Love — "Love one another, as I have loved you" 

(John xiii:34). 

?fc ^ 5jC S^t j{c 

When enthusiasm is kindled by the fire of Calvary's 
love, it will find an outlet in ministering, as Christ did, 
to the need of others. The sun shines the sun because 
it is the sun that shines. 



Love's Mantle. 

"Love covereth a multitude of sins" (1 Pet. iv.S, r. v.). 

The artist of Alexander the Great was very desirous 
of producing a faithful portrait of the great general, but 
he was anxious to hide the ugly scar upon the side of his 
face, which was the telltale of a wound received in one 
of his battles. He, therefore, represented the great con- 
queror in a reflective mood, with his head resting upon 
his hand, and his fore-finger covering the disfiguring 
scar. Love ever seeks to cover the scars which are the 
marks left by the old master sin. 



149 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



How does love cover sin? Certainly not by aiding 
others in sin, nor by minimising its evil, nor by excusing 
its iniquity. How, then? 

(1) By acting towards others, as God has acted towards 
us, in a forgiving spirit (Ps. xxxii:5), as Joseph did 
to his brethren (Gen. xlv 14-15) . 

(2) By seeking to heal the effects of sin in the repentant 
sinner, by pouring into his heart and mind the oil of 
prayerful sympathy and the joy of encouragement, as 
the good Samaritan did to the spoiled man (Luke x:34). 

(3) By seeking to remove the shame, which another's 
folly has brought upon him, as Noah's sons did when 
they discovered their father in a drunken condition, 
and covered him up (Gen. ix:23). 

(4) By restoring a brother who has fallen, in the spirit 
of Christ, that he may be prevented from being tripped 
up again, as Paul sought to restore, and to guide the 
Church at Corinth in their conduct towards the erring 
brother (1 Cor. v:5; 11 Cor., ii 7, 8). 

(5) By rescuing those who are liable to sin through un- 
holy associations, as the angels did Lot (Gen. xix:io, 
II). 

(6) By removing temptation out of the way of those who 
are weak, by our personal example, as the Holy Spirit 
directs in Rom. xiv. 

And (7) By refusing to talk about the past of anyone, 
who has repented, whether it be saint or sinner, as the 
Lord Himself, who not only forgives, but forgets too 
(Heb. x:i7). 

The love of God is a torrent to bear us on in its sweep ; 
love is a channel to hem us in, in its sway ; and an ocean 
to embrace us in its fulness. Love is a power to move 
us, a sphere to limit us, and a fulness to enrich us. 

Love's Recognition. 

"I know Him, whom I have believed" (2 Tim. i:i2, R, v.). 

Children are ever helpful in the expression of their 
faith and the devotion of their love. The following inci- 
dent is a practical illustration. A little girl, whose Sun- 
day School teacher had died some time before, had a 
dream that she was in Heaven, and went round being 
introduced by her friend to several well-known charac- 



150 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



ters. The girl, in relating the dream to her mother, said, 
"My teacher introduced me to Paul, and Abraham, and 
David, and a lot of other Bible characters." 

"Did she not introduce you to Jesus?" asked the 
mother." 

"Oh, no," was the prompt reply, "I knew Jesus as 
soon as I saw Him, I did not need an introduction to 
Him." 

Those who have been introduced to Christ by the Holy 
Spirit, do not need any further introduction to Him, for 
the moment we see Him we shall know Him 

By the nail-prints of His atonement (Zech. xiii:6). 
By the glory-face of His splendor (Rev. xxii:4). 
By the lifting-power of His attractability (i Thess. iv:i7). 
By the welcome-voice of His greeting (Cant. ii:io). 
By the corresponding-likeness to His face (Phil. iii:2i). 
By the love-companionship of His presence (i Thess. iv:i7). 
And by the unsurpassed-following of His retinue (Rev. 
xix:ii-i4). 

******** 
To know Christ is the secret of power ; to win Christ 
is the secret of growth; to love Christ is the secret of 
joy ; to abide in Christ is the secret of victory ; to follow 
Christ is the secret of faith ; to listen to Christ is the secret 
of knowledge; and to walk with Christ is the secret of 
rest. 

Love's Sacrifice. 

"The Love of Christ * * * One died for all" (2 Cor. v:ia)- 
The Favorite Verse of the Welsh Revival in 1859 
was — 

"The Man Who was nailed for sinners, 

Who suffered for sinners like me, 
Himself drank the cup of our sorrow 

Alone on Mount Calvary. 
Thou Fount of Love Everlasting, 

Thou Home of the Counsel of Peace, 
Bring one to the Bonds of the Covenant 

That never will cease." 

151 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



The Favorite Verse of the Revival of 1905, was — 

"This is love vast as the ocean ; 

This is pity like a flood ; 
Jesus Christ, my life to purchase, 

Freely shed His precious blood. 
Who will not His death remember? 

Who refuse His praise to sing? 
Love like this demands our homage — 

Who will make Heaven's arches ring?" 

The fact of the gospel, the death of the Saviour, is the 
fulcrum upon which the Spirit of God always rests the 
lever of His Word to raise a lost sinner. Christ came to 
the cross to die that there might be a gospel to preach (1 
Cor. xv 13), and in that gospel there is 

The panacea for every ill (Rom. iii:25). 

The placater for every turmoil (Col. ii : 14) . 

The pattern for every grace (2 Cor. v.14). 

The power for every service (2 Cor. v:i4). 

The provider of every blessing (Heb. ix:i2). 

The promoter for every Christian act (Rom. xiv:i5). 

And the procurer of every glory (1 Thess. iv:i4). 

The Lord's heart is hungry for the love of His people, 
even as He hungered unto death to prove His affection 
for them. 

Christ in His love is God's expression of His compas- 
sion and regard for us. We do well to think with God 
about His thought of us. 



Loving* one Another. 

"A New Commandment I give unto you" {John xiii:34). 

A little girl, of three or four years old, learned the 
Bible text, "Love one another." "What does 'love one 
another' mean?" asked her next oldest sister, in honest 

152 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

doubt as to the meaning. "Why, I must love you, and 
you must love me ; and I'm one and your're another/' was 
the answer. Who can improve on that exegesis? 

Some fourteen times we are told to "love one another." 

To "love one another" is obedience to the "new command- 
ment" (John xiii:34; xv:i2, 17; 1 John iii 123 ; 2 
John 5). 

The evidence of discipleship (John xiii :35). 
The debt that is to be paid (Rom. xiii:8). 
The grace in which we are to abound (1 Thess. iii: 12). 
The proof of being God-taught (1 Thess. iv:9). 
The mark of being born again (1 Pet. 1:22). 
The sign of sonship (1 John iii:ii). 
The stamp of heaven's college (1 John iv:7). 
The fulfilment of the obligation resting upon us (1 John 
iv :ii). 

And the witness of God's indwelling presence (1 John 
iv.12). 

The way to obtain the fulfilment of God's promises, is 
to fill to the full His commands, and the new command- 
ment is to love one another. 



Marks of Jesus. 

"The marks of the Lord Jesus" (Gal. vi:ij). 

Adelina Patti, the great singer, on her recent marriage 
to Baron de Cederstrom, left an order at her home that 
her mail should all be forwarded to the Cannes post- 
office. On her arrival she went to the post-office and 
asked if there were any letters for the Baroness Adelina 
de Cederstrom-Patti. "Lots of them." "Then give them 
to me." "Have you an old letter by which I can identify 
you?" "No, I have nothing but my visiting card. Here 
it is." "Oh, that's not enough, madam ; any one can get 
visiting cards of other people. If you want your mail, 
you will have to give me a better proof of your identity 



153 



PEARLS. POINTS AND PARABLES. 



than that." A brilliant idea then struck Mme. Patti. She 
began to sing. A touching song she chose, the one begin- 
ning, "A voice loving and tender " — and never did she put 
more heart into the melody. And marvellous was the 
change as the brilliant music broke the intense silence. 
In a few minutes the quiet post-office was filled with 
people., and hardly had the singer concluded the first few 
lines of the ballad when an old clerk came forward and 
said, trembling: with excitement, "It's Patti! There's 
none but Adelina Patti who could sing like that."' "Well, 
are you satisfied now?' 7 asked the singer of the official 
who had doubted her identity. The only reply which he 
made was to go to the drawer and hand her the pile of 
letters. If we are to convince the world of the divinity 
of Jesus Christ and His power to transform poor sinful 
human hearts and lives into His own likeness, then we 
must prove it by the living testimony of our lives. We 
must learn to sing the heavenly music. 

As Mme. Patti proved her identity by what she could 
do, so every child of God proves his oneness with Christ 
bv the following seven traits. A believer is one who is 

(1) Looking at Christ ('John 1:29, 36; Heb. xii:2). 

(2) Leaning on Christ i^Cant. viii:5.». 

(3) Listening to Christ (Matt xi -.29 ; John x:2/). 

(4) Loving like Christ (Eph. v:2). 

(5) Living as Christ ( i John ii :6'>. 

(6) Labouring with Christ (2 Cor. vi:i ). 

(7) Longing for Christ (Phil. iii:2o). 

Love in its correspondence to Christ is not the gush of 
sentimentality, but the grace of similarity to Him. 

Mastering 1 Difficulties. 

"'We laboured in the work * * -* none of ns put off our 
clothes * * continued in the work x x the wall was 
built" (Xeh. k:2i, 23; u:i6; 

Stevenson would have gloated over the building of Mile 
Rock Lighthouse. Mile Rock, jagged, ragged, at the 

154 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



entrance of San Francisco Harbor, has long been a 
danger and terror to sailors. It is but sixteen feet above 
mean low water. At mean high water its surface area is 
but 1,000 square feet. Too big at the base to be blown up. 
Surrounded by a collection of perilous swift eddies and 
currents. Government engineers made plans for a light- 
house there, but who would build it? A San Francisco 
man, James A. McMahon, took the contract. He took 
out a lot of skilled laborers in a schooner. They looked 
at Mile Rock and respectfully declined. They wanted to 
live. So McMahon gathered a force of those amphibious 
dare-devils called "deep-sea" sailors. They went to work 
last fall. Sometimes they could work an hour a day; 
sometimes not at all ; and always they took their chances, 
and were copiously banged, bruised, and all but drowned. 
The first thing to do was to chisel the rock, so as to leave 
a pinnacle. Round this, steel plates were to be set, form- 
ing a cylinder forty-two feet high, to be filled with ce- 
ment, and so, with the co-operation of the pinnacle, made 
considerably more solid than the solid rock. The shape of 
the rock was such that an elliptical base, forty feet by 
twenty-five at its widest, had to be built. Outside this 
was the rock's "slippery slope," like Gettysburg's in the 
poem. The amphibious McMahonites had to come up to 
the rock in boats, jump ashore as they steadied these on 
the crest of the wave, tumble into the seething caldron 
sometimes, be yanked with difficulty out, creep, crawl, 
cling, climb, swim — man-flies man-fish, man-barnacles. 
Sometimes the storm raged so that they could not be 
taken off for hours. In three months the rock was chis- 
elled, and awaited the plates. Think of the difficulty of 
landing all that heavy stuff: the 1,200 barrels of cement 
for the foundations ; the tons of steel for the base and for 
the tower, fifty feet high, which was to surmount it, and 
carry a third-order light and a fog-signal. A pluck}-, 
skilful, and memorable work. McMahon and his amphi- 
bious deep-sea men are to be commended for the accom- 
plishment of their difficult task. 



155 



PEARLS. POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Nothing is accomplished without perseverance, plod., 
and hard work. 

Those who are "not weary" will reap (Gal. vi :oj ; 

The runner with patience will reach the goal (Heb. xii:i) ; 

The ardent one who presses on will receive the prize (Phil. 

iii :i4) ; 

The diligent believer enters into the larger rest (Heb. 

iv : 1 1 ) ; 

The persevering pleader is the glad receiver (Eph. vi:i8); 
The one who continues in the Word proves his discipleship 

(John viii :3i) ; 
And the faithful one unto death receives the crown of life 

(Rev. ii :io). 

Trials are not always toothsome, but they are always 
wholesome. Sanctified trials will keep a saint from get- 
ting crusty, musty, and rusty. 



Medicine of Grace. 

'"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine" (Proz: xvii:22). 

A Hindoo trader in Kherwara market once asked a 
Christian convert. 4 ''What medicine do you put on your 
face to make it shine so?'" 

Penna answered. "I don't put anything on." 

"No: but what do you put on?" 

"Nothing. I don't put anything on." 

"Yes you do — all you Christians do; Eve seen it in 
Agra, and I've seen it in Ahmedabad and Surat. and Eve 
seen it in Bombay." 

Penna laughed', and his happy face shone the more as 
he said: ''Yes, Ell tell you the medicine: it is happiness 
of heart." 

The ingredients which compose the medicine called 
''Happiness of heart," are. 

156 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Holiness of life (i Peter L15). 
Humbleness of mind (Col. iii:i2). 
Yieldingness of spirit (Rom. vi:i3). 
Circumspectiveness of walk (Eph. v:i5). 
Pureness of heart (Matt. v:8). 
Rightness of motive (2 Cor. v:i4). 
And singleness of aim (2 Cor. v:g, r. v.). 

When these are mixed together, in equal portions, with the 
water of faith, and taken three times a day, then they 
soon make the receiver enjoy spiritual health, which 
is evidenced in the happiness that follows. 

******** 

If we walk in the light, in fellowship with the Lord, we 
shall act right for Him, in our life before men. 



Memories of Calvary. 

"A place called Calvary" (Luke xxiiiiss). 

"A land without ruins is a land without memories — a 
land without memories is a land without history. A land 
that wears a laurel crown may be fair to see ; but twine 
a few sad cypress leaves around the brow of any land, 
and be that land barren and bleak, it becomes lovely in its 
consecrated coronet of sorrow, and it wins the sympathy 
of the heart and of history. Crowns of roses fade — 
crowns of thorns endure. Calvaries and crucifixions take 
the deepest hold on humanity." 

What does Calvary say? 

( 1) Sin put away (Heb. ix:26); 

( 2) Satan defeated (Col. ii:i4, 15); 

( 3) God satisfied (1 John iv:io); 

( 4) Law magnified (Gal. iii:i3); 

( 5) Love manifested (John iii:i4-i6); 

(6) Self crucified (Gal. 11:20) ; 

( 7) World transfixed (Gal. vi:i4); 

( 8) Heaven opened (1 Peter iii:i8); 



157 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



( 9) Peace made (Col. 1:20); 

(10) Forgiveness provided 1 Luke xxiv :i6. 47); 

(11) Holiness secured (Heb. xiii:i2); 

(12) Communion assured (Eph. ii 113) ; 

(13) Cleansing procured (Rev. 1:5); 

(14) Glory entered (Rev. vii:i4). 

The Cross of Calvary casts its red hue upon the glory 
of heaven : yea. its roseate hue is its glory;, for the Lamb 
is the light thereof. 



Mustard* 

"Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil" (2 Tim. f: , :i4 ) - 

A well-known business man was asked the question, by 
a reviewer from a certain daily newspaper. "You have 
been surprised. I dare say, to find how man}" people know 
you of whom you have never heard?"' 'T received a let- 
ter from a gentleman who said that nine years ago he 
was a passenger with me on a P. and O. boat in the East, 
and he endeavored to recall himself to my memory by the 
circumstance that he once passed me the mustard." 

There are some men mentioned in the Bible, who are 
conspicuous because of the mustard of ill which they did 
to others. 

Jeroboam injured others by his evil influence (1 Kings 

xv:3o). _ 
Aliab by his wrong doing (1 Kings xxi:2o). 
Hymeneus and Philetus by their error (2 Tim. ii:i/ s 18). 
Demas by his worldliness (2 Tim. iv:io). 
Diotrephes by his pride (3 John 9). 
Achan by his covetousness (Josh. vii:20, 21). 
Theudas by his audacity (Acts v 136) . 
And Alexander by his evil (2 Tim. iv:i4). 

* jfc ♦ 0? 3jE J}C j|s ^ 

Sin is its own hell, and creates its own pangs; and 
Holiness is its own heaven, and brings untold pleasures. 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Nail Print Blessings. 

"The print of the nails" (John xx:2$). 

In Annie Swan's Maitland of Laurieston, John Mait- 
land is represented as being torn by doubt, and worried by 
the speculations of worldly philosophy. He says: "I 
wish — I wish I could believe; I want to believe, but I 
can't. The critical questioning mania has got a hold of 
me, and I know not where it will end." 

Whereupon Aunt Leesbeth, a godly woman, replies: 
"Oh, fecht on; fecht it oot manfully, and dinna lose 
heart. Efter ye see't, lad, and ken what the Saviour did 
for ye, ye'll hae a grup o' Him naething on earth will 
loose. I've never been a doubter myself, but I'm no' ane 
that blames Thomas a'thegither. He was an honest chiel ; 
an' I believe, laddie, that the Lord has as muckle sym- 
pathy wi' the doubters noo as He had then. Haud at 
Him, John, my man, an' He'll show ye the print o' the 
nails and syne ye'll cry, as Thomas did, 'My Lord and my 
God !' " 

The death of Christ in the operation of its blessing is 

The peacemaker for the believer _ (Col. 1:20); 
The world-divider for the Christian (Gal. 1:4); 
The self-cmmiller to the child of God (Gal. ii :2o) ; 
The devil-destroyer to the member of Christ (Heb. ii 114) ; 
The consecrating-separator to the saint (Heb. xiii:i2); 
The soul-inspirer to the worker (2 Cor. v:i4, 15) ; 
And the glory-assurer to the saved (Titus ii : 13, 14; 1 Thess. 
. iv:I 4)- 

The nail prints of Calvary are indelible in their mark- 
ing, and lasting in their impression. The nails of the 
cross fasten securely, and fix permanently. 

Need Supplied. 

"My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in 
glory by Christ Jesus" {Phil, iv.ig). 
Mr. C. H. Spurgeon, in speaking of the Orphanage, 
related: "I remember being in the Borough Market on 
one occasion, when a salesman said to me, 'Here are six 



159 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



dozen bunches of turnips; you may have them for the 
orphans, if you like ; and I hope somebody else will send 
the mutton.' The turnips were sent home, and, shortly 
after their arrival, a Surrey farmer delivered a sheep, 
which he had fattened and killed for the orphans. A 
coincidence ? Yes, certainly ! But who ordained it ? It is 
clear that there was no human conspiracy, for neither of 
the donors knew of the other's intention. There may be 
an affinity between mutton and turnips, but no chemical 
law brought them together to furnish a meal for a family 
of orphan children. 'The Father of the fatherless' knows 
how, by the promptings of His Spirit, to quicken resolve, 
and thus command the gifts which honor faith, fulfil 
promise, and answer prayer. Had the factor withheld 
the turnips, the farmer might have brought the mutton 
all the same ; or had the farmer sent his sheep to market, 
the factor might have given the turnips ; but that the two 
gifts were coincident, does more than suggest a Divine 
providence — it proves it ! A wise rule in giving thus re- 
ceives an illustration. Each donor gave what he had, and 
never knew what crowning awaited his gifts. To refuse 
turnips because we cannot give mutton, or to withhold 
mutton because we cannot send turnips, is to allow an un- 
worthy motive to stifle a generous impulse. 
The above shows our God is a God of detail. 

(1) He supplies our cupboard (Matt. vi:33); 

(2) He clothes our back (Matt, vi 130) ; 

(3) He numbers our hairs (Matt, x 130) ; 

(4) He orders our steps (Ps. xxxvii:23); 

(5) He bottles our tears (Ps. lvi;8); 

(6) He books our thoughts (Mai. iii:i6); 
And (7) He holds our hand (Isaiah xlii:6). 

There is no need to supply, when He supplies all our 
need. 

160 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Neverslip. 

"My feet did not slip" (2 Sam. xxii'.$7,^ v.). 

"Neverslip," was the announcement about a certain 
shoe, which was advertised on a hoarding in New Jersey. 
It is not for me to advertise the advertisement, but it is 
at least a suggestive one as to what should be true of 
every Christian. I have heard of a vessel called the 
Neversink; this we may say is true of the ark of God's 
salvation and all those who are in it. But the Lord 
desires that we should know the saving of His grace in 
the larger sense, for He not only saves us from sinking 
into the hell of our deserving, but He can save to the holi- 
ness of His keeping, so that we never slip. The reason 
why David was kept, was, as he says, "Thou hast en- 
larged my steps under me so that my feet did not slip." 

The word the Psalmist uses is rendered in another 
place "slide" (Ps. xxvi: 1-27-3 1) "shake" (Ps. lxix: 
23). The way not to slip is to keep off the devil's slides, 
for if we get on them we are sure to slip down to our 
shaking. There is another word rendered "slip" which 
means not to be moved, and is often translated "moved" 
If we ponder a few places where the words occur we 
shall find food for meditation. 

(1) A Confident Faith — "I have trusted also in the Lord" 
(r. v. "without wavering"), "therefore I shall not slide" 
(Ps. xxvi :i) ; 

(2) A Good Ballast — "The law of the Lord is in his heart; 
none of his steps shall slide" (Ps. xxxvii:3i) ; 

(3) A Gripping Prayer — "When I said, my foot slippeth; 
Thy merey, O Lord, held me up" (Ps. xciv:i8) ; 

(4) A Marred Testimony — "As a troubled fountain and a 
corrupted spring, so is a righteo'us man that giveth 
way" (a. v. "falling down") "before the wicked" (Prov. 
xxv '.26, r. v.). 

(5) A Keeping Presence — "Because He is at my right hand 
I shall not be moved" (Ps. xvi:8). 

(6) An Impregnable Position — "They that trust in the 
Lord are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but 
abideth for ever" (Ps. cxxv:i, r. v.). 

161 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

(7) A Glorious Consequence — "My feet have held fast to 
Thy paths, my feet have not slipped'* (Ps. xvii:5 r. v.). 

******** 

The grip of God's hand will keep us from slipping in 
His ways. 



Obscuring* the Light. 

"We wait for light, but behold obscurity" (Isa. Ux:g). 

.Worshiping in a Baptist Chapel in the South of Eng- 
land, I noticed the windows on one side of the building 
were more or less covered with ivy, thus obscuring the 
light. Many churches and individual Christians are like 
those windows, they are obscuring the light of the Lord's 
blessing from others, thus instead of being light-givers 
they are light-retarders. 

(1) The blindness of unbelief not only darkens the be- 
liever, but it also obscures his testimony and so keeps 
the light from those in association with him (Matt, 
xv /.14). 

(2) The ophthalmy of self-sufficiency will keep the soul 
from beholding the glory of the Lord (Rev. iii:i'7). 

(3) The bushel of commerce will hide the light of witness 
bearing (Matt. v:i5). 

(4) The bed of sloth will stupify the activity of Godliness 
(Mark iv:2i). 

(5) The short-sightedness of neglect will hinder the full 
development of the Christian life (2 Peter i:9). 

(6) The mote of mis judgment will dim the sight of broth- 
erly love (Matt. vii:3), 

(7) And the cataract of pride will shut out from fellow- 
ship with God (1 John ii:i6). 

When we obscure the light of the Gospel, we not only 
keep the light from ourselves, but from others, also. 

162 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

On and of the Rock. 

"Living stone * * * ye also" (i Pet. 11:4, 5). 

A well-known servant of Christ once remarked to a 
godly deacon, "I am not only on the Rock, but I am ce- 
mented to the Rock, and the cement is as hard as the 
Rock itself, so there is no fear of my perishing; unless 
the Rock falls, I cannot fall ; unless the Gospel perishes, 
I cannot perish." This is evident if we believe what the 
Holy Spirit says, for He says of believers, that they 

Partake of Christ's life (1 Peter ii:S>, 
Share in His position (Eph. ii:6), 
Are united in His headship (1 Cor. xii:i2), 
Are receivers in Him of God's righteousness (2 Cor. v:2i), 
Are loved in God's love for Christ (John xv:g), 
Are recipients of His preciousness (1 Peter ii -.7, r. v., mar- 
gin), 

And then they are to be sharers of His glory (John xvii:24). 

* * * * - ;(« * * * 

Communion with the Lord, by having everything in 
common with Him, is the proof of our union with Him. 



Opportunity. 

"Now is the accepted time" (2 Cor. vi:2). 

A great surgeon stood before his class to perform a 
certain operation which the elaborate mechanisms and 
minute knowledge of modern science had only recently 
made possible. With strong and gentle hand he did his 
work successfully, so far as his part of the terrible busi- 
ness went; and then he turned to his pupils and said: 
"Two years ago a safe and simple operation might have 
cured this disease. Six years ago a wise way of life 
might have prevented it. We have done our best as the 
case now stands; but nature will have her word to say. 
She does not always consent to the repeal of her capital 
sentences." Next day the patient died. 

163 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

The right thing done at the right time will secure the 
right end. 

The hour to hear Christ's voice is "wow" (John v:25) ; 
The time to obey the Spirit's command is " to-day" (Heb. 
iii -15) ; 

The occasion to repent is "wow" (Acts xvii :3o) ; 

The opportunity to secure the blessing of the Gospel is 

"now" (Rom. iii* 19) ; 
The time for the Christian to be fully awake is "now" (Rom. 

xiii :ii) ; 

The day to serve the Lord is "now" (2 Cor. vi \2) ; 
And the times to wait on the Lord are "morning, noon, and 
night" (Ps. Iv:i7). 

******** 
To neglect the present opportunity for service, is to 
miss the service and reward which the opportunity gives. 



Our Unseen Leader. 

"The Captain of their Salvation" {Heb. ii'.io). 

In chapter sixty-eight of The Scottish Chiefs, William 
Wallace disguises himself as a Frenchman, that he may 
test his men as to valor and patriotism. 

The Scots, 8,000 strong, are met by 10,000 English, 
but by hard righting put them to flight. Later in the day 
the enemy is reinforced, by another 10,000, and comes 
against the Scots, only to meet with another defeat. Near 
the close of day a third 10,000 is joined to the enemy, and 
the nearly 30,000 come against the few Scots who are 
left: the Scots, terror-stricken, in despair, begin to fly. 
In vain Wallace, as Guy de Longueville, rushed into the 
thickest of the carnage and called to his men to fight. To 
them he was a foreigner and untried. Wallace felt the 
crisis, and spurring his steed up the steep ascent where he * 
could be seen by the whole army, took off his helmet, and 
waved it in the air with the shout : ''Scots, you have this 
day vanquished the Southrons twice. If you be men, re- 
member Cambus-Kenneth, and follow William Wallace 
to a third victory." 



164 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

Our Captain and Leader, the Lord Jesus, assures us of 
victory on the following grounds : 

(1) Because of what He is — He is "the Captain of our 
salvation" (Heb. ii:io); 

(2) Because of what He has done — He has destroyed "him 
that had the power of death" (Heb. ii:i4) ; 

(3) Because of His victories (Col. ii : 15 ) ; 

(4) Because of His assurance (John xvi:33); 

(5) Because of what He says (1 Cor. x:i3) ; 

(6) Because of His keeping and presence (1 John v:i8, 
r. v. ; 1 John iv 14) ; 

(7) Because of the stimulus of His promised reward (Rev. 
iii ^21). 

The unseen are the real things and the seen are the un- 
real. Faith sees the unseen and makes them real 



Performing* the Promises. 

"I will perform that good thing which I have promised" (Jer. 
xxxiii: 14). 

The Paris newspapers related a story of a hoax which 
was played on the King of the Belgians. The King is a 
connoisseur of pictures, and, passing through an exhibi- 
tion, he was much struck by a pastoral picture of sheep 
grazing at sundown. He asked the artist what was the 
price of the painting, and, to his astonishment, was in- 
formed that it was fifty francs a head of sheep. Very 
rapidly the eye of the King passed over the flock, and he 
decided to buy the picture. "There are about a dozen 
sheep," he said to the artist, "so that will come to 600 
francs." "Fifty francs per sheep," replied the artist 
bluntly; "but if your majesty agrees we can count them 
after delivery of the picture." The King agreed, and the 
picture was sent to the hotel. The next day the artist 
called, and the King offered him a cheque for the amount 
he had stated. "One moment, if you please," said the 

165 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



artist. "Those are sheep also," pointing to a number of 
white dots in the background of the picture. "I thought 
they were specks of dust," replied the King. On looking 
at the picture again his majesty had to admit that there 
was undoubtedly a large flock in the far distance. "How 
many in all?" he asked the artist. "Exactly a thousand," 
was the reply. Without another word the King made 
out a new cheque for the amount, adding that kings 
always kept to their word. 

The words of an earthly king may fail, but the promise 
of the King of kings will never fail. The promise to 
Israel, which heads this section, suggests many things. 

(1) A Meanful Contrast — "The crafty * * * cannot per- 
form their enterprise" (Job v:i2). Of the sinner, it may 
be said, as God said of King Saul, he "hath not perform- 
ed My commandments" (i Sam. xy:ii) ; and of man, in 
his endeavour to do right of himself, the cry ever goes 
up, "To will is present with me, but how to perform 
that which is good I find not" (Rom. vii:i8). 

(2) A Clear Testimony — "The Lord hath performed His 
Word" (1 Kings viii:2o; 2 Chron. vi:io). "The 
Lord * * * hath raised up * * * to perform/* &c. (Luke 
L68-72). 

(3) A Sure Promise — "I will watch over My word to 
Perform it" (Jer. i:i2, r. v.; Ezek. xii:25; Isa. ix:7). 

(4) An Inspired Confidence — "Thou wilt perform'" (Micah 
vii:2o). "He will perform' (Phil. i:6). "God that 
performeth all things for me" (Ps. lvii:2). 

(5) A Good Resolve — "I will perform" (r. v., "confirmed") ; 
"I will keep Thy righteous judgments" (Ps. cxix:io6). 

(6) A Needful Spur — "Now therefore perform the doing 
of it" (2 Cor. viii :ii). 

:'i Jj£ H* ^ sj£ 

"Whosoever wills whatsoever God wills, is pleased 
whatever happens. 

Pilgrimag'e. 

"Strangers and pilgrims" (1 Peter U:u). 

"A poor Irish laborer, who had spent forty years of 
his life amid the bricks and mortar of a great city, went 
out to the country for a few days on a special job. One 



166 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



morning, as he stood in the field, he heard a sudden whirr 
of wings, and saw a little bird shooting up into the air, 
and immediately there came a burst of music that filled his 
eyes with tears, and sent him to sit down on one of his 
rough building stones, until the floods of memories had 
surged through his simple heart. An American, who had 
never noticed the song of the lark, asked him what was 
the matter. 

" 'Oh,' said the poor Irishman, 'that bird made me think 
of the ould counthry, and the days long gone by.' Poor 
fellow, he had not heard the lark since his childhood, and 
it made him feel he was a stranger in a strange land." 

The Children of Israel, sheltered by the blood of the 
paschal lamb, are an interesting type of the Christian pil- 
grim. They, and we start from the blood-sprinkled houses 
of redemption, 

(1) They fed on the roast lamb, we feed on Christ (Exod. 
xii :8; John vi :54). 

(2) They had their loins girded, ours are strengthened 
with "the girdle of truth (Exod. xiirii; Eph. vi:i4). 

(3) They were shod for their journey, our feet are pro- 
tected with the "preparation of the gospel of peace" 
(Exodus xiirii; Eph. vi:i5). 

(4) They had a staff to support them, we have the staff of 
the Lord's care (Exod. xiirii; Ps. xxiii:4). 

(5) They came out of Egypt, we come out from the world 
(Exod. xii:5i; 2 Cor. vi:i7). 

(6) They were sanctified at the Lord's command; we are 
sanctified in Christ (Exod. xiii:i2; 1 Cor. 1:2). 

(7) They were led by the cloud and fire, we are led by the 
Holy Spirit (Exod. xiii:2i; Rom. viii 114) ) . 

******** 

He who lives in the power of the world to come, lives 
to purpose in the world that is. 

Power of God's Word. 

"Blessed are they that keep His testimonies" (Ps. cxix:2). 

A colporteur, in Hainault, relates the following inci- 
dent: — "At Montigny, a Roman Catholic village, I asked 
a woman if she would buy the Holy Scriptures. 

167 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



" 'No,' she answered, 'I am not going to be caught 
again. Seven months ago a man like you came here and 
he talked so much that to get rid of him I bought this 
book, a New Testament. I had begun to read it, for one 
has nothing to do on Sunday, when a woman came in, 
and, seeing what I was doing, said : "What ! you read such 
bad books ! Don't you know that it is a Protestant book?" 
I told her that I did not, and I promised myself never to 
open it again.' 

" When you read it did you find any Protestantism in 
it, or anything else that you disapproved of?' 

" 'Oh, no.' 

" Tt is just as though, after churning your butter, which 
you know to be excellent, someone came in and asked 
you if you were not afraid to eat that butter, which you 
ought to know is bad and even dangerous. You would 
know how to answer her, knowing the contrary to be 
true.' " 

The Bible proves itself, just as the missionary said of 
the butter. The assertion that a good thing is bad does 
not prove it is so, it only demonstrates the dark pre- 
judice which is in the mind of the objector. Remember 
what is said of the word of God. 

(1) It is enlivening in contact, for it is "quick and powerful" 
(Heb. iv:i2). 

(2) It is enlightening in operation, for it maketh "wise the 
simple" (Ps. xix:7, 8). 

(3) It is enduring in substance, for it "abideth for ever" 
(1 Pet. i:23). 

(4) It is emancipating in ministry, for Christ says the truth 
makes free" (John viii:32). 

(5) It is ennobling in effect, for it communicates its nature - 
to those who receive it, hence, Christ prays that we may 
be sanctified by means of it (John xvii:i7). 

(6) It is enforcing in authority, as the people confessed 
when they listened to Christ; and what is true of the 
Living Word is also true of the Written Word (Luke 
iv 132-36 ; Jer. xxiii:2g). 

168 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



(7) It is encouraging in promise, for His "precious prom- 
ises" ever make us "partakers of the Divine nature" 
(2 Peter 1:4). 

sjj ij: sfc * H> * * 

As the shining of the sun proves the sun which shines, 
so the Word of God proclaims the God of the Word. 

Power of Prayer. 

"Much availeth the supplication of a righteous man when it is 
energised" (Jas. v:i6, Rotherdam). 

A missionary from India on board an Atlantic liner 
related the following striking answer to prayer which 
he witnessed when a boy at his native place : On that oc- 
casion he was rather late at the meeting for prayer. He 
noticed a number of ungodly men, who were standing 
outside the meeting-house, and he asked why they were 
there. They replied, "The Pastor is inside praying for 
rain" (there had been no rain for sometime, and every- 
thing was parched up), "and we are waiting outside to 
see the clouds come." "There is one," exclaimed one of 
the young men all of a sudden, and, sure enough, the 
rain began to come, and it rained for a week. Thus, 
there was a practical demonstration of the power of 
prayer. 

Prayer is a heaven-opener, as is seen at Christ's baptism 
(Matt. iii:i6). 

Prayer is a glory -revealer, as is demonstrated at Christ's 
transfiguration (Mark ix:3, 4). 

Prayer is a prison-opener, as is made known in Peter's de- 
liverance from prison (Acts xii:7-i2). 

Prayer is a work-qualifier , as is manifest in the early dis- 
ciples (Acts iv 131). 

Prayer is an efficient-server, as is exemplified in the service 
of Epaphras (Col. iv:i2). 

Prayer is a strength-minister, as Christ found in Gethsem- 
ane (Luke xxii -.41-43). 

Prayer is a rain-bringer, as Elijah's experience illustrates 
(James v:i8). 

Prayer in its effectiveness is bottomed on God's prom- 



169 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

ises, and then when God has performed His promises, it 
is pinnacled by our praises. 

******** 
Prayer is the wire that puts us in communication with 
the Lord, and answered prayer is the transmission of His 
power to us. 

Power of the Holy Spirit. 

"Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost has come 
upon you" (Acts i:8). 

Rev. F. B. Meyer says: "When I was a boy I used to 
go to the Polytechnic, in London, where my favorite 
diversion was a diving-bell, which had seats round the 
rim, and which, at a given time, was filled with people, 
and lowered into a tank. We used to go down deeper, 
deeper into the water, but not a drop of water ever came 
into that diving-bell, though it had no bottom, and the 
water was quite within reach, because the bell was so 
full of air that, though the water lusted against the air, 
and the air lusted against the water, because air was 
being pumped in all the time from the top, the water could 
not do what it otherwise would. If you are full of the 
Holy Ghost, the flesh life is underneath you ; and though 
it would surge up, it is kept out." 

There is the pozver of His grace to keep steady in the storm 
of trial, even as the ballast in the vessel keeps it from 
"turning turtle" (Acts iv:3i). 

There is the pozver of His life to move us in the will and 
word of God, even as the bird can wing its way through 
the air by the strength of its inherent life (Rom. viii :2). 

There is the power of His holiness, which can make the 
character beautiful with likeness to Christ, even as the 
flowers are beautiful with the sun's rays (Eph. iii:i6). 

There is the pozver of His truth, which imparts its nature 
to those who receive, even as the food received and di- 
gested gives strength and fibre to the body (John xv: 
26). 



170 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



There is the power of His compassion to inspire us to care 
for others, even as the light of the lighthouse warns the 
mariner of the dangerous reefs, and speaks of the 
harbour of refuge (Phil, ii :i-4) . 

There is the power of His unparalleled supply, which at- 
tracts every noble heart, even as the oasis in the desert 
attracts the weary traveller (Phil. iv:i9). 

And there is the power of Christ Himself, to which the 
Spirit ever leads (Acts vii:56). 

******** 

When the dew of God's Spirit saturates our spiritual 
nature, it makes the doing of God's will an easy matter. 



Prayer. 

"Lord help me" {Matt. xv.2$). 

A notice hung against one of the pillars in the parish 
church of an English village. It was to the following 
effect, that he who entered the building would offer up 
three requests, viz., for himself, for those who minister 
in this place, and for those who attend this place. All 
true prayer strikes out in these three directions: First 
for oneself, then for the Lord's servants, and then for the 
unsaved. We emphasise the first, for it is important to be 
personal in our pleadings, as the following seven "me's" 
indicate and illustrate: 

(1) The penitent sinner's cry is, "Lord, be merciful to me 
a sinner" (Luke xviii:i3); 

(2) The feeble saint's petition is, "Keep me as the apple 
of the eye" (Ps. xvii:8) ; 

(3) The ignorant scholar's request is, "Teach me Thy 
paths" (Fs. xxv 14); 

(4) The tempted warrior's supplication is, "Let not mine 
enemies triumph over me" (Ps. xxv:2) ; 

(5) The troubled disciple's cry is, "Lord, save me" (Matt, 
xiv 130) ; 



171 



PEARLS, POIXTS AXD PARABLES. 

(6) The searched one's petition is, "Lead me in the way 

everlasting" (Ps. cxxxix:24); 
And the believing suppliant's prayer is, "Lord, remember 

me" (Luke xxiii 142). 

To strive in earnest and believing prayer is to thrive 
in the Christian life. 

The holy prayer of the stammering saint is music in 
God's ears, but the clamoring of self-interest is a dis- 
cordant note to Him. 



Prayer's Comprehensiveness. 

'Tn even-thing * * * let your requests be made known unto God" 
(Philippians iv:6 ) . 

Annie Anderson, a character in Alex Forbes of How- 
glen, by George MacDonald, is represented as being sent 
to bed by her unkind guardian — "Groping her way up 
the steep ascent, she found her room without difficulty. 
As it was a clear, starlight night, there was light enough 
for her to find everything she wanted; and the trouble 
at her heart kept her imagination from being as active 
as it would otherwise have been, in recalling the stories of 
ghosts. She got into bed, and began saying her prayers, 
when she was startled by hearing a scratching noise, 
which she knew came from rats. What followed is here 
related : 

" T tried to cry oot, for I kent' at it was rottans ; but 
my tongue booed V my mou' for fear, and I cudna speak 
ae word.' 

"The child's fear of rats amounted to a frenzied horror. 
She dared not move a finger. To get out of bed with 
those creatures running about the room was as impossible 
as to cry out * * * her heart cried — 

" 'O God, tak care 0' me frae the rottans.' 



172 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



"There was no need to send an angel from heaven in 
answer to this little one's prayer; the cat would do. 
Annie heard a scratch and a mew at the door. The rats 
made one frantic scramble, and were still." 

Too often we miss the privilege we have in making 
known our requests in "everything/' We quite believe the 
"everything" has to do with the big things of life, but 
we do not think so regarding the small things. 

The main thing suggested by the above is, the Lord 
uses secondary things in answering our petitions. 

Moses cried to the Lord when the Israelites were bitten by 

fiery serpents, and the Lord's healing came through the 

looked-to brazen serpent (Num. xxi:g). 
The ravens feeding the prophet Elijah (i Kings^ xvii 14-6) . 
The king healed of his carbuncle (Isaiah xxxviii :2i). 
The cleansing of Naaman from his leprosy (2 Kings v.6-14). 
The woman being made whole through touching the hem of 

Christ's garment (Mark v.27, 28). 
The stretching of Elisha on the young child (2 Kings 

iv :33-35>- 

And the saturating of Gideon's fleece with the dew (Judges 
VL36-40), are a few of the many instances of how God 
uses means in answering prayers. 

******** 

Prayer is made up of petition, plea, and intercession. 
Petition for personal blessing, such as "Lord help me ;" 
plea for the fulfilment of promise; and intercession or 
supplication for others. 

******** 

Prayer is the environment which kills the microbes of 
spiritual disease, and brings spiritual health and vim. 



Prayers Hindered. 

"That your prayers be not hindered" (i Peter m.*7)> 

" T should die 'fore I wake.' said Donny, kneeling 
at grandmother's knee, 'if I should die 'fore I wake — ' 
" T pray,' " prompted the gentle voice, 'go on, Donny.' " 



173 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



"Wait a minute," interposed the small boy, scrambling 
to his feet, and hurrying away downstairs. In a brief 
space he was back again, and, dropping down in his place, 
took up his petition where he had left it. But when the 
little white-gowned form was safely tucked in bed, the 
grandmother questioned, with loving rebuke, concerning 
the interruption. 

"But I did think what I was sayin', grandmother; 
that's why I had to stop. You see, I'd upset Ted's me- 
nagerie, and stood all his wooden soldiers on their heads, 
just to see how he'd tear round in the mornin'. But, if 
I should die 'fore I wake,' why — I didn't want him to 
find 'em that way, so I had to go down and fix 'em right. 
There's lots of things that seem funny if you're going to 
keep on livin', but you don't want 'em that way if you 
should die 'fore you wake." 

"That was right, dear; it was right," commended the 
voice with its tender quaver. "A good many of our 
prayers wouldn't be hurt by stopping in the middle of 
them to undo a wrong." 

There are many things which will hinder our prayers. 

Sin in the camp hindered the prayer of Joshua (Josh, 
vii :6-io). 

Iniquity, or idols, in the heart will hinder the answer to 

prayer, as the Psalmist says (Ps. Ixvi:i8). 
Disobedience to the Lord's word will hinder prayer, as the 

wise man declared (Prov. xxviii:9). 
A condemning heart will hinder the requisite confidence to 

answered prayer (i John iii:2i, 22). 
Unbelief will hinder prayer, for faith is a condition attached 

to the fiulfilment of promise (Heb. xi:6). 
Non-dependence upon the Holy Spirit will hinder effectual 

prayer (Rom. viii:26; Jude 20). 

******** 

Sometimes God's children place themselves in positions 
where God's power cannot touch them. 



174 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Prayer— Hie Vent of Need. 

"Men ought always to pray" (Luke xviii:i). 

A Scotch laborer, who was a Christian man, went to 
work for a farmer who was not a believer. The latter 
was a liberal paymaster, but the former only stayed with 
him a few days. He was asked by a neighbor why he 
had left. "There was no roof on the house/' was his 
reply. The Scotchman's meaning may be found in the 
saying of an old writer, who affrms that a dwelling in 
which prayer is not offered up to God daily, is like a 
house without a roof, in which there can neither be peace, 
comfort, nor safety. 

The man knew the benefit and blessing of prayer, and 
felt he could not do without it. They who value prayer, 
look: after their best interests. They who neglect prayer, 
open the door for evil intruders; for prayer is not only 
a protection from the rain of Satan's malice, but it is 
also a preventative of sin's intrusion. To neglect prayer 
is to burden ourselves with care, to shut ourselves out of 
blessing, to enfeeble our faith, to dim the eyes of our hope, 
to damp the fire of our zeal, to relax the grip of our 
tenacity, to weaken the heart of our love, and to rob 
our service of its strength, as Trench well says: — 

"Why should we do ourselves this wrong. 

Or others — that we are not always strong: 
That we are ever overborne with care : 

That we should ever weak or heartless be, 
Anxious or troubled, when with us is prayer; 

And joy, and strength, and courage are with Thee?" 
Why, indeed! To do so, is to demonstrate our folly. 
Let us ponder the privilege of prayer, that we may the 
better appreciate its worth. 

Prayer is the Vent of Need. The needy man is ever 
the pleading one. 

(i) Prayer is a sin-killer, as the Psalmist infers when he 
states iniquity in the heart will keep his prayers from 
being answered (Ps. Ixvi:i8). When we pray that sin 
may be killed, prayer is kept alive. 



175 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



(2) Prayer is a power-bringer, as the disciples at Pente- 
cost illustrate. While they prayed, the Spirit in His 
power came (Acts i : 14 ; ii:i). 

(3) Prayer is a victory-gainer, as Nehemiah demonstrates, 
for he accomplished his task in the face of his enemies 
because he made his "prayer unto God" (Neh. iv:9). 

(4) Prayer is an obstacle-remover, as Peter's deliverance 
evidences, for he was brought out of prison in answer 
to prayer (Acts xii:5). 

(5) Prayer is a holiness-promoter, for prayer takes us to 
God in our need, and brings God with His supply, hence, 
we are charged to pray always and in everything (Eph. 
vi:i8; Phil. iv:6). 

(6) Prayer is a blessing-bringer, as Elijah found when he 
prayed in his praying for rain (Jas. v:i7, 18 margin). 

(7) Prayer is a body-healer, for we are assured "the prayer 
of faith shall save the sick" (Jas. v:i5). 

4: * * ^ ^ $ $ $ 

To be a suppliant to the Lord in telling our need is 
good; but to be an intercessor for the needs of others 
is better. "Lord, help me," cried the woman who prayed 
for her daughter. We always get help when we get help 
for others. 



Praying* and Paddling*. 

"Joined together" {Ex. xxviii:'?). 

A colored preacher on a visit to this country, told a 
provincial audience the other day, how he escaped from 
slavery. He said: "When I was escaping from slavery, 
and found myself out on the ocean, I prayed to God to 
help me, and He did help me. I found some boards, and 
got on them. Well, what did I do then? Did I stop 
praying, and think because I had got a few boards I 
could get along alone, and didn't need the Lord's help any 
more? No. I took a stick for a paddle, and went to 
paddling and praying ; and by paddling and praying I got 
through." 

176 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



There is sound philosophy in the old preacher's talk : 

"Faith without works is dead." 

We show our love by our obedience (John xiv:2i); 
We evidence our sanctity by our separation from evil (i 
John iii :io) ; 

We proclaim our brotherhood by our actions (i John iii ; 
We prove the spirituality of our worship by our loyalty 
(Matt. vii:2i) ; 

We tell out our discipleship by our continuance (John 
viii:3i); 

We manifest the reality of our conversion by our fruit-bear- 
ing (John xv :4, 5) ; 
And we declare our faith by our works (James ii:i7, 18). 

To work effectually for God we need to continually 
wait upon Him. The wheels of work only run smoothly 
when they are oiled by the oil of prayer. 



Praying* with a Reservation. 

"Ye ask amiss" {J as. iv.2,)- 
Some time ago I told a very simple story, says Theo- 
dore Monod. It was about a child I know, the son of 
one of my relatives. He had a bad habit that children 
often have — he was a little bit of a boy — that of sucking 
his thumb. Well, he was told he must give it up, and one 
evening in his prayer he was heard to say: "O God, 
bless Edward, and make him give up sucking his thumb." 
That was a very good prayer. But, after a pause, he went 
on : "O God ! don't bless him, because he is going to suck 
his thumb all the same." I think there is a world of 
practical teaching in that. The little fellow was more 
candid than we often are, and he understood that it was 
no use asking God to do a thing for him when he was 
determined it should not be done. I fear that in more 
important matters a great many of us are just like that 
little boy. We ask God to deliver us from this or that, 
when all the time there is a voice (although it does not 



177 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



express itself in the prayer) saying: "I shall go on all 

the same." 

We ask amiss when we ourselves are amiss, like the children 
of Israel, who out of their self-desire asked for flesh 

(Ps. Lxxviii:i8). 
We pray amiss when we are amiss with our brethren, for 

we cannot expect the Lord to bless us if we have an 

unforgiving spirit (Mark xi:25). 
We pray amiss when we want something for our own grati- 
fication, and not for God's glory (Jas. iv :3, s. v.). 
We pray amiss when we have no definite petition. The 

whatsoever of the Lord's promise supposes a ''what do 

you want" (John xiv:i3). 
We pray amiss when we should be acting instead of asking, 

as the Lord told Joshua in referring to Achan (Josh. 

vii :io). 

We ask amiss when we do not depend upon the Holy Spirit. 

We need to pray in the Spirit (Jude 20) and to let the 

Spirit pray in us (Rom. viii 126). 
We pray amiss when we ask in a dictatorial spirit, instead 

of keeping in the line of God's will (1 John iii .'20-22; 

v:i4 15)- 

******** 

The Hame of prayer is fed by the fuel of meditation. 
Think how Christ prayed, and you will soon pray like 
Christ. 



Prepared. 

"To make ready" (prepared, same word as in Luke »:3i) "a 
people prepared for the Lord" (Luke 1:17). 

All day long the snow had fallen, as if with quiet, 
steady purpose. As the light faded, the wind rose, and 
rose till the night was of the wildest. In each little house 
on the country-side the inmates knew that they were cut 
off from their neighbors, and that that night there could 
be neither coming nor going. Light after light in the 
little village went out, and all was dark. Yet, though 
it was now near midnight, there was one window — had 
there been any one but God to see it — in which still shone 
a light. It was in the farmhouse high on the hillside. 
For within an old man lay dying. Late in the evening 

178 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



he had taken a turn for the worse, and his daughter be- 
gan to be afraid, knowing that on such a night she could 
send for no one, either doctor or minister, and fearing 
she might have to face the Angel alone. Hour after hour 
she watched and waited. She looked on the grey locks 
that had once been black as the raven, on the pale cheeks 
once red as berries, on the strong, straight nose that still 
spoke to her of all his strength and uprightness. Never 
again, she murmured to herself, would she see him in the 
little church bearing the vessels of the Lord — the tallest, 
dearest figure among all. 

"Father," she said at length, "wull I read a chapter to 
ye?" 

But the old man was in sore pain, and only moaned. 
She rose, however, and got the Book, and opened it. 

"Father," she said again, "what chapter wull I read 
to ye?" 

"Na, na, lassie," he said; "the storm's up noo: I 
theeket (thatched) my hoosie in the calm weather." 

And thereafter she waited without fear. So those who 
are in the confidence of faith are without fear, for 

They have responded to the prepared feast of the Gospel 
(Matt. xxii:4). 

They are ready or prepared for an answer for the reason 

of their hope (i Pet. iii:i5). 
As sanctified ones they are "prepared unto every good work'' 

(2 Tim. ii :2i). 

Being panoplied in God's armour, their feet are shod "with 
the preparation of the Gospel of peace" (Eph. vi:i5). 

As exhorted ones to "be perfect" (same word as "perfect" 
is rendered "prepared" in Heb. x:5), they are prepared 
or adjusted to God's will (1 Cor. xiirii). 

As taught ones the Holy Spirit reveals the things which He 
has "prepared for those who love Him" (1 Cor. ii:g). 

And Christ assures them He has gone to "prepare a place" 
for them (John xiv :2, 3). 

The best way to prove God's will is to approve what 
He says in His word by our obedience. 



179 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Preserved. 

"Preserved in Jesus Christ" (Jade i). 

An old man once said, "I am preserved : not like pickles, 
sour, but like jam, sweet." Christians should be like jam. 
which is guaranteed to keep sweet at all times, under all 
circumstances, and in all climes. 

If we are in the realm of Christ's kingdom (Col. 1:13) ; 

Living in Christ's love (John xv:g); 

Sanctified in Christ's truth (John xvii:i7); 

Indwelt by Christ's Spirit (Rom. viii :g) ; 

Strengthened in Christ's grace (2 Cor. xii:9); 

Calmed in Christ's peace (Col. Hi: 15, R. v.); 

And keeping in Christ's company (Luke xxiv:29, 32), then 

we shall be sweetened by what He is, and be sweet in 

His sweetness. 

******** 

To be concentric in love to Christ, often means we are 
eccentric in the eyes of the world. 



Preserved by Love. 

"Preserved in" (r. v., "kept for") "Christ Jesus" (Jude i). 

Mr. Spurgeon, on one occasion, went to visit the late 
James Smith, of Cheltenham, when the latter was stricken 
with paralysis. Mr. Spurgeon had heard that he was 
troubled with many conflicts, and said to him, "Friend 
Smith, I hear you have many doubts and fears." 

"Who told you that?" he enquired; "for I have none." 

"Do you never have any ? Why, I understood you had 
many conflicts." 

"Yes, I have many conflicts, but I have no doubts. I 
have many wars within, but I have no fears." 

We cannot doubt our Father's love, nor can we fear as 
to our eternal safety if we trust the Lord Jesus, for in 
His Word of grace we are assured. 



180 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



We shall "never perish" (John x :28) ; 

That we possess "eternal life" (i John v:i3) ; 

That we are "sealed with the Holy Spirit unto the day of re- 
demption" (Eph. iv:30); 

That our "life is hid with Christ in God" (Col. iii:3); 

That we are "loved unto the end" (John xiii:i) ; 

That we are "kept by the power of God" (i Pet. i:5) ; 

And that none is "able to pluck us out of His hand" (John 
x:28). 

******** 

Love put Christ on the cross to take our place, and will 
not be satisfied till it has placed us with Him on the 
throne. 



Presence of the Lord. 

"The Lord is with them" (Zechariah 

Rev. F. B. Meyer relates a beautiful story of a little girl 
staying at a summer hotel in Norway. "She was of that 
trying age when small fingers are beginning to find their 
way about the piano, striking as many wrong notes as 
right ones ; and young nerves do not seem particularly 
sensitive to the anguish which such attempts are capable 
of inflicting on others. She knew one or two tunes suffic- 
iently well to be able to make them out with one finger; 
and with these she made the guests familiar to their 
despair. 

"But one day a brilliant musician came to the hotel, 
took in the situation, and sat down beside the small mu- 
sician, accompanying her with the most exquisite impro- 
visation. Each note of hers only gave him a new motif 
for chords of surpassing beauty, whilst the drawing-room, 
now crowded with people, breathlessly listened. 

"When the performance was over, the illustrious ac- 
companist took the little maiden by the hand, and led her 
blushing round the company, saying, 'Let me introduce 
to you, ladies and gentlemen, the young lady to whom 
you are indebted for the music to which you have been 
listening/ 

181 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



"It was true. They were indebted to her for the 
music, because her efforts had led to his magnificent ac- 
companiment ; but his part in the joint performance had 
led to a deep impression, and it was he whom they were 
destined to remember." 

The Lord's Presence makes all the difference. He fills 
every need, and is the Worker to achieve. The words 
"with them," as associated with the Lord's Presence, sug- 
gest much. He is with us as 

(1) The sinner's Entertainer for fellowship — "This man re- 
ceiveth sinners, and eateth with them" (Luke xv:2). 

(2) As the enemies' Exterminator — "The Lord was with 
them" (Judges i 122) ; 

(3) As the sanctifying Lord — "They shall know that I the 
Lord their God am with them 1 ' (Ezekiel xxxiv 130) ; 

(4) The manifest Worker — "The Lord working with them'* 
(Mark xvi :2o) ; 

(5) The gracious Recognizer — "The Lord taketh my part 
with them that help me" (Ps. cxviii :j) ; 

(6) The efficient Multiplier — "The hand of the Lord was 
with them" (Acts xi:2i); 

(7) And as the loving Encourager" — "God hath done with 
them" (Acts xiv:27; xv:4). 

******** 
The pavilion of God's presence is the Saint's place of 
rest, and the panoply of God's armour is his coat of mail 
for Victory. 



Presence and Prayer. 

"Abide with us" (Luke xxiv:2Q). 

The author of the well-known hymn, "Abide with me," 
wrote the immortal verse after he had been compelled, 
through ill-health, to relinquish preaching. Thus on his 
couch he did more lasting work than he did in the pulpit. 

His daughter has related the circumstances as follows : 
"The summer was passing away, and the month of Sep- 
tember had arrived, each day seemed to have a special 



182 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



value as being one day nearer his departure. His family 
were surprised and almost alarmed at his announcing his 
intention of preaching once more to his people. His 
weakness, and the possible danger attending the effort, 
were urged to prevent it, but in vain. 'It was better/ he 
said, 'to wear out than to rust out.' He did preach, and 
afterwards assisted at the Communion. He was much 
exhausted, yet his friends had no reason to believe it had 
been hurtful to him. In the evening of the same day he 
placed in the hands of a dear and near relative the little 
hymn, 'Abide with me/ " 

In the earliest manuscript the hymn had eight verses, 
and there were words and sentences which have been al- 
tered since. The following was the original: 

"Abide with me ! fast falls the even-tide ; 
The darkness thickens ; Lord, with me abide ! 
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee, 
Help of the helpless, O abide with me! 

"Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day; 
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away; 
Change and decay in all around I see ; 
O Thou, Who changest not, abide with me ! 

"Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word, 
But as Thou dwelt with Thy disciples, Lord, 
Familiar, condescending, patient, free, 
Come not to sojourn but abide with me. 

"Come not in terrors, as the King of kings; 
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings ; 
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea; 
Come Friend of sinners, and abide with me. 

"Thou on my head in early youth didst smile ; 
And, though rebellious and preverse meanwhile, 
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee ; 
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me ! 

183 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



"I need Thy presence every passing hour; 
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power ? 
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be? 
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me! 

"I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless, 
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness : 
Where is death's sting? where, grave, thy victory? 
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me! 

"Hold then Thy cross before my closing eyes ! 
Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies! 
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee ; 
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!" 

These words "abide with us" are: 

(1) The believer's prayer in life (Luke xxiv:29); 

(2) The soldier's stay in conflict (Ex. xxxiii:i4, 15) ; 

(3) The pilgrim's plea in pilgrimage (Gen. xxviii:i5); 

(4) The mourner's joy in sorrow (Isa. xlino); 

(5) The worker's courage m testimony (Matt, xxviiino); 

(6) The servant's cry in trial (Neh. iv;4; vi:9); 

(7) And the disciple's comfort in death (Ps. xxiii:4). 

To abide in Christ is obedience to Him (1 John 111:24, 
R. V.) ; for Christ to abide in us is to be possessed by 
Him (Eph. iii:i7); an d to abide with Christ and for 
Him to abide with us is communion with Him. 



Prevailing'ness of God's Word. 

"So mightily grew the Word of God and prevailed" 
(Acts xix:2o). 

"Do you see this Bible?" said the chief man of a 
village to a missionary. "I was a rough blasphemer a few 
months ago; men trembled before me; boys ran to hide 

184 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES, 



when they saw me ; no man dared to stand before me. 
To-day, my arm is broken, my heart is wax ; I am a little 
lamb ; the children look upon me with wonder. That 
Book has done it all." 

Another said: "Until a few weeks ago I used false 
weights and measures. I got a Bible from the hand of a 
boy in the street, and took it to my shop. Immediately 
there commenced a din which nearly drove me crazy ; the 
controversy between the Bible and my false measures 
made my head ring. I seized the Bible, and would have 
flung it out of the door, but with a loud voice it spoke, 
saying, 'With me you drive God from you.' I could not 
do that. I destroyed my false measures and immediately 
the uproar ceased, and now I sleep like a child, and my 
neighbors always see me happy." 

As we read the records of the early Church, we find 
that wherever the gospel of Christ was received some 
definite result was achieved. 

(1) It is a power-giver, as illustrated in the healing of the 
lame man (Acts iii 7, 8). 

(2) It is a demon-expeller, as demonstrated under Philip's 
preaching at Samaria (Acts viii 15-8) - 

(3) It is a joy-bestower, as manifested in the gladness of 
the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts viii '.39). 

(4) It is a soul-amazer, as seen in the conversion of the 
deputy at Paphos (Acts xiii:i2). 

(5) It is a caste-dissipator, as appears in the blessing of the 
Gentiles at Antioch (Acts xiii 146-48). 

(6) It is a heart-opener, as stated in the Lord's dealings 
with Lydia (Acts xvi:i4). 

And (7) It is a sin-expeller, as we see in the burning of 
the books of superstition at Ephesus (Acts xix:i8-2o). 



******** 

A holy life is the best commentary on the Holy Bible. 
Not to be a walking Bible is to be wasting libel. 



185 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Profoundness of the Simple Gospel. 

"The Gospel of Christ" (Rom. i:i6). 

J. H. La Trobe, in The Methodist Times, referring 
to the "breadth of the gospel of the kingdom/' says, "we 
are ofter urged to preach the simple gospel, but the 
gospel preached by many is so simple as to disappoint 
or disgust any intelligent man who has a love for his 
fellows and a noble conception of life. This simple 
gospel makes Christ a mere fire-escape from a hell 
conceived on the lines of the Pagan Tartarus, into a heav- 
en which is far away in points of distance and of time." 

Why skit at those who preach the simple gospel? The 
simple gospel has for its basis the death and resurrection 
of Christ, according to the Apostle Paul, who says, "I 
declare unto you the gospel * * * by which also ye are 
saved * * * how that Christ died for our sins according 
to the Scriptures ; and that He was buried, and that He 
rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" 
(i Corinthians xv:i-4). The facts of the gospel, Christ's 
death and resurrection, are the mightiest factors which 
can be put into Society. 

They are a means of escape from the wrath to come (i 
Thess. i:io). 

They are the motive powers of spiritual and self-sacrificing 
service (n Cor. v:i4-i6). 

They are the makers of character, for no one can know them 
without being made like to them (Phil, iiino)^ 

They are the movers of heart to influence us to act in a God- 
like manner (i John iii:i6). 

They are the music of heaven to give gladness and peace, 
for the living Christ with the pierced hands always 
gives these benedictions (John xx:20, 21). 

And they are the medium of blessing, for the reason why 
earth has no sorrow which heaven cannot cure, is be? 
cause Christ has procured every blessing by His sorrow 
on the cross (Isa. liii:5). These are simple factors, 
but they produce profound results. Let mankind know 
these things in their livingness, and they will be lifted 
into such a plain of morality and spirituality, that there 
shall be no want to want. 

"Wanting is what?" 



186 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

The gospel of the death and resurrection of Christ is a 
panacea for every ill, and the power to all and every 
good. 

Taking the Water of Life means salvation (Revela- 
tion xxii:i7), letting it be within, as a well springing 
up, is satisfaction (John iv:i4), and allowing it to flow 
out in blessing to others is service (John vii:38). 



Prohibition Provokes Opposition. 

"When the commandment came, sin revived'' (Rom. vii:g). 
A recent writer on Anarchism says: — 

"The paradox is certainly true of the Anarchists, that 
repression does not repress. The French Government 
published in 1894 an "Anarchist Album," containing about 
500 photographs of Anarchists, which is used by the 
police of every country. 

"Within two months afterward President Carnot was 
assassinated. That same year saw Anarchism rampant in 
nearly every country in Europe. According to Detective- 
Inspector Sweeney a more stormy year than 1894 has not 
been known to the police since the forces of Anarchy 
were first put through any sort of organization. In his 
published reminiscences, Mr. Sweeney, who was in the 
Criminal Investigation Department of Scotland Yard, 
runs over the Anarchist crimes of that 'very black twelve- 
month.' " Verily, prohibition provokes opposition. 

Eve was warned not to eat of the tree, but she did it, and 

was cast out of Eden (Gen. iii:24); 
Achan was told not to touch the accursed thing of Jericho, 

but he coveted and took, and was accursed (Josh. 

vii: 20-25) ; 

Naomi knew it was not in the mind of God for her to go 
to Moab, but she went, and came back empty (Ruth 
i:2i) ; 

187 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

David went right in the teeth o£ God's command in sin- 
ning with Bathsheba, and was punished (2 Sam. 
xii:9-n) ; 

And Paul felt that law stirred up the sin in him, which he 
was prohibited from doing (Rom. vii:i5~2i). 

The evil of man's nature is provoked by the righteous- 
ness of God's law. When law says "Thou shalt not:" 
man in his self will says : "I will." 



Proofs of Conversion. 

"Be Converted" (Matt, xiii :is; xviii:z). 

A Chinaman applied for the position of cook in an 
American family, which belonged to a fashionable church. 
The lady asked him: "Do you drink whisky?" 
"No; I Clistian man." 
"Do you play cards?" 
"No ; I Clistian man." 

He was engaged, and was found honest and capable. 
By-and-bye the lady gave a party, during which the wine 
flowed in abundance, and cards were played for high 
stakes. John did his part acceptably, but the next morning 
he appeared before his mistress. 

"I want to go." 

"Why, what is the matter?" 

"I Clistian man — I told you so before. No heathen. No 
workee for heathen !" 

The one thing which is evidenced by the Chinaman's 
reply is, that wherever the work of God is real in the 
heart, it shows itself in a thoroughness in putting away 
all that is evil. 

The Thessalonians gave up their idols (1 Thess. i:9). 
The Ephesians burnt their books of magic (Acts xix:i9). 
The Corinthians gave up their evil course of living (1 Cor. 
vi:ii). 

188 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Zacchseus gave up his cheating (Luke xix:8). 
Saul of Tarsus gave up his persecution (i Tim. 1:13). 
The Christians at Rome gave up the service of sin (Rom. 
vi:i7)- 

And the Colossians gave up their enmity to God (Col. 1:21). 

^ * * *' 5j« * * * 

When the Christian is in evidence, he is the best evi- 
dence of Christianity. 

Prosperity of Adversity. 

"Sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing" (2 Cor. vi:io). 
A popular writer describes a young girl who had to 
sleep in a garret infested with rats, who had prayed to 
the Lord to send them away, and recognized an answer 
to her petition when the cat, appeared upon the scene, 
he aptly puts the cat in juxtaposition to the rats, by say- 
ing, "There was a place where prayer was heard as cer- 
tainly as at the mercy-seat of old — namely a little garret 
room, with holes in the floor, out of which came rats ; 
but with a door as well, in at which came the prayed-for 
cat." 

Where there are rats in our lives, there are sure to be 
cats. In other words, there are compensations in life. 
There are joys in our sorrows, crowns in our crosses, 
mercies in our miseries, love in our losses, His appoint- 
ments in our disappointments, and compensations in our 
contradictions. 

Jacob found a Bethel in his stony pillow (Gen. xxviii:i8, 19). 
Moses got a commission in the back side of the desert (Ex. 
iii:i-4). 

Joseph discovered the way to the palace was by means of 

the pit (Ps. cv:i7-22). 
David turned the taunt of Goliath into a triumph (1 Sam. 

xvii :43-5o). 

Paul touched the Throne of Grace by means of the thorn in 

the flesh (11 Cor. xii :8, 9). 
John beheld the Paradise of God when banished to the Isle 

of Patmos (Rev. 1:9). 
And Christ Himself knew that the valley of suffering led 

to the mount of glory (Luke xxiv:26). 

189 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

"He was better to me than all my hopes, 

He was better than all my fears ; 
He made a bridge of my broken works, 

And a rainbow of my tears. 
The billows that guarded my sea-girt path, 

But carried my Lord on their crest; 
When I dwell on the days "of my wilderness march, 

I can lean on His love for the rest. 

"There is light for me on the trackless wild, 

As the wonders of old I trace, 
When the God of the whole earth went before 

To search me a resting place. 
Never a watch on the dreariest halt 

But some promise of love endears; 
I read from the past that my future shall be 

Far better than all my fears." 

******* £ 

The way to kill despair is to give yourself to prayer, 
for prayer is the great killer of every ill. 



Purchased by Blood. 

"Bought with a price" (i Cor. vii:2z). 

Sir George Douglas, Bart., in the Life of Major-Gen- 
era! Wauchope, C.B., C.M.G., LL.D., who fell at the 
head of the Highland Brigade at Magersfontein, calls at- 
tention to the fact that in the war he donned the "red 
heckle" of the Black Watch, of which he had written to 
his second wife, what he rightly calls one of the most 
beautiful soldiers' letters in our language: 

"I've been looking for this enclosed everywhere, and 
at last I have found it. It is my red heckle, as worn in 
my helmet in the years 1885 and 1886. It was also at 
Suakim in 1884. The red heckle is what the old 42nd 
love — it is our distinguishing mark. I have been shot 
with that red heckle. Keep it as long as you are my 
wife. It really is what I love best of that kind of thing; 
it has so much in it — or, rather, it represents so much 



190 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



to me of old tradition, of the noble men who gave their 
all for this old land. It isn't beautiful, and it is faded; 
but I do love it so dearly * * * And I think those 
in the Service who knew me would say, if I were gone, 
that this heckle would bring me more to mind to them 
than anything else, because I have loved our red plume 
so much." 

The red heckle of Christ's atoning death is ever present 
to the believer, and he loves to wear it*by remembering 
he is dead to sin in His death for sin. 

Something of what the death of Christ meant to Him 
and what it means to us may be gathered from the four 
following Scriptures : 

(1) A Great Purchaser — "Denying the Lord that bought 
them" (n Pet. ii:i). 

(2) A Great Price — "Bought with a price" (1 Cor. vi:2o). 

(3) *A Great End — "Redeemed us to God by Thy blood" 
(Rev. v:9). 

(4) A Great Separation — "Redeemed from among men" 
(Rev. xiv:3, 4). 

The word agorazo is rendered "bought" and "redeemed" 
in the above Scriptures. 

******** 

If we ignore the blood of Christ's atonement, we shall 
deplore the want of His peace. 



Queer Places. 

"In a Strait place, Thou hast made room for me" (Ps. iv:i, 
Rotherham's translation). 

Sauntering into the old-fashioned Episcopal Church 
building at Biggleswade, we saw a swallow flying from 
rafter to rafter. It did not seem to be at home. The 
bird had evidently flown into the building, and could not 
find its way out. Many of God's children have got into 
queer places by their folly; but they have not found it 
so easy to get out of them. 



191 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

David in the court of Achish (i Sam. xxi:io). 

Jonah in the sea-monster's belly (Jonah 1:17). 

Abram in Egypt (Gen. xii:io). 

Lot in Sodom (Gen. xiii:i2). 

Elijah under the juniper tree (1 Kings xix:4). 

The man of God out of Judah in the old prophet's house 

(1 Kings xiii:i9). 
And Peter in the judgment hall of the world (Luke xxii :55- 

62), are a few examples. 

******** 

The Lord often extricates His saints from their diffi- 
culties, but He none the less reminds them of their dis- 
graces. 



Redeeming 1 the Time. 

"Redeeming the time" (Eph. v:i6). 

Lord Rosebery relates that when Mr. Gladstone was 
staying at Dalmeny in 1879, he kindly consented to sit 
for his bust. The only difficulty was that there was no 
time for sittings. So the sculptor, with his clay model, 
was placed opposite Mr. Gladstone as he worked, and 
they spent the mornings together, Mr. Gladstone writing 
away, and the clay figure of himself less than a yard off 
gradually assuming shape and form. Anything more 
distracting I cannot conceive, but it had no effect on the 
busy model. 

The Lord's people should be equally diligent in business 
(Rom. xii :ii). 

Quick in obeying the Lord's commands, for He bids us 
"make haste" (Luke xix:5). 

The King's business requires haste, therefore there must 
be no tardiness in performing it (1 Kings xxi:8). 

The rest of faith can only be enjoyed as we are alive to its 
privilege (Heb. iv:ii, R. v.). 

The workman who is approved of God is he who dili- 
gently applies himself to his task (11 Tim. ii:i5, r. v.). 



192 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

The lawful runner in the race is he who obtains the victor's 

crown (i Cor. ix:25). 
And he who is "zealous in good works" is the one who is 

commendable to the Lord (Titus ii:i4). 

******** 

There are those who covet to possess the gifts of others 
who do not use the ones they have got. 



Remember. 

"Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led 
thee" (Deut. viii:2). 

Looking out of the window as the express train thmK 
dered on its way, as I sat with my back to the engine, 
the curve round which we had come and the distant way 
over a viaduct were plainly visible. It is not without its 
benefit to look back on the track one has come in the ex- 
periences of the Christian life, for one is able to see 

The deliverances the Lord hath wrought (Deut. v:i5). 

The way He hath led (Deut. viii:2). 

The blessings He has bestowed (Deut. xxxii:7-i2). 

The victories He has won (Deut. xi:2-7). 

The darknesses He has brightened (Neh. ix:i2, 13). 

The service He has rendered (Deut. viii 114-18). 

And the encouragements He has given (Joshua xxiii:i4). 

jjc 2jC 5/ 2^5 5$C 5f* 5$C 

Look in ! Look up ! Look out ! Look back ! Look in, 
and see your vileness (Job xl:4). Look up, and behold 
your Saviour's loveliness (Heb. xii:2). Look out and 
ponder the need of man's helplessness (Matt. ix:^6-^S; 
John iv:35) ) an ^ back and remember what the Lord 
has done. 



193 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Repentance. 

"Repentance toward God" (Acts xx:2i). 

Augustine has well said, "He hatr ill repented whose 
sins are repeated." Repentance is a change of mind 
wrought by the Holy Spirit and shown in the action. The 
word repent means to think differently, to change one's 
views after consideration, hence to change one's purpose 
or course of action. Remorse is sorrow for the conse- 
quence of sin, but repentance condemns the sin which 
brought the consequence. Tears are in the eyes of re- 
pentance, confession is on its lips, God's mind about sin 
is in the thought, walking from sin are its feet, broken- 
ness is in its heart, taking hold of Christ are its hands, 
and humbleness of manner is its mien. 

(1) The imperativeness of repentance is heard in God's 
command to repent (Mark 1:15; Acts xvii:3o). 

(2) Christ emphasizes the necessity of repentance (Luke 
xiii:3, 5)- 

(3) The goodness of God is the promoter of repentance 
(Rom. ii:4). 

(4) The companions of repentance are godly sorrow (2 
Cor. vii:io), faith (Mark 1:15), and good works (Acts 
xxvi :2o). 

(5) The cause of repentance is God Himself, for He gives 
it, and its end is "unto life" (Acts xi:i8). 

(6) The reason of repentance is found in the Christ of 
Calvary's atonement and resurrection, and the blessing 
of repentance is made known in the sins being forgiven, 
and the seasons of refreshing assured (Acts iii:i8, 19). 

{7) The preaching of repentance is based upon the author- 
ative command of Christ (Luke xxiv, 46, 47), and is 
illustrated in the testimonies of the early Christians 
(Mark vi:i2; Acts ii 138, r. v.). 

(8) God's appreciation of repentance is manifest in the 
joy He is said to experience when one sinner repents 
(Luke xv 7, 10). 

Repentance thinks God's thought about sin and hates 
it ; takes God's side against self and dies to it ; and turns 
to God Himself and serves Him. 



194 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Rewards. 

"Praise, fionour, and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" 
(i Pet. 1:7). 

Queen Victoria, when visiting the military hospital at 
Netley, to see the wounded men who had returned from 
an Indian Frontier Campaign, had the pleasing duty of 
pinning the coveted Victoria Cross upon the breasts of 
two of the soldiers, one of whom was Piper Findlater, 
who, although wounded severely, continued to play his 
pipes when the British were engaged with the enemy. 
When her Majesty was about to put the V. C. on the 
breast of Findlater he said: "I can stand up, your Maj- 
esty." "Oh, no," replied her Majesty ; "I will rise." And 
suiting the action to the word, she rose from her chair, 
and attached the cross to the breast of his jacket. 

The Queen honored the man who had honored his 
country by his bravery. Thus shall it be with the faith- 
ful ones and the overcomers, when our Lord Jesus re- 
turns. 

(1) Reward of the watchful Servant — Christ's personal 
service (Luke xii:37). 

(2) Reward of the Enduring Believer — "A crown of life" 
(Jas. 1:12). 

(3) Reward of the Diligent Saint — An abundant entrance 
into Christ's Kingdom (2 Pet. i:ii). 

(4) Reward of the Talent User — The Lord's gracious ap- 
proval (Matt. xxv:2i-23). 

(5) Reward of the Pound-Employer, Rule over many 
cities (Luke xix:i7). 

(6) Reward of the Overcomer — A place on Christ's throne 
(Rev. iii:2i). 

(7) Reward of the Faithful Attender— "A full reward" 
(2 John 8). 



******** 

To remember that the Lord remembers what we do 
for Him, is a recompense in itself, in addition to the 
promised reward. 



195 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Rig*2at in His Own Eyes. 

"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes" (Prov. xii:i$). 

Thomas B. Reed once visited friends in Watch Hill, 
R. L, and he enjoyed himself so much that he missed 
a train which he expected to take at Westerly. It was im- 
perative that he should reach Boston to keep an important 
engagement, and the train that had gone was the last 
one eastbound stopping at Westerly that night. There 
was, however, an express passing through at nine o'clock. 
Mr. Reed telegraphed to the superintendent in Boston : 

"Will you stop express at Westerly at nine p. m. for 
a large party?" 

The answer came: "Yes, will stop train." 

Mr. Reed waited, and when the express came to a 
standstill he started to board a car. 

"Where is the large party we stopped for?" inquired 
the conductor. 

"I am the large party," returned Mr. Reed, with dig- 
nity. 

There are many who think it quite right to take others 
in, when the action is their own, but they would be quick 
to condemn a similar action in others. What does the 
Lord say about things right in our own eyes? 

(1) A Fenced Life — "Go not about after your own heart 
and your own eyes*' (Numbers xv:39, R. v.). 

(2) A Distinct Command — "Ye shall not do * * * what- 
soever is right in his own eyes" (Deut. xii:8). 

(3) A Lawless Condition — "Every man did that which 
was right in his own eyes'* (Judges xvii:6; XXL25). 

(4) A Self Estimate — "Righteous in his own eyes" (Job 
xxxii :i). 

(5) A Needful Injunction — "Be not wise in thine own 
eyes" (Prov. iii:7). 

(6) A Sorry Case — "A generation that are pure in their 
own eyes, and yet are not washed from their filthiness" 
(Prov. xxx 112). 



I96 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



(7) A Terrible Woe — "Woe unto them that are wise in 
their own eyes'* (Isa. v:2i). 

** ****** 
The inflation of self-righteousness is an abomination 
to God. They who justify themselves condemn God, but 
they who condemn themselves justify God. 



Rootage for Foliage. 

"Grow up into Him" (Eph. iv.15). 

"What beautiful laurels! How fresh and green they 
are!" remarked one friend to the other, as he called at- 
tention to some beautiful laurels, which were growing at 
the side of a garden, as they were walking down an ave- 
nue of fir trees in the west of Bournemouth. 

"Yes," was the reply, "that beautiful foliage means 
good rootage. Where there is not a proper trench dug, 
and good soil put into it for the trees, the tops of the 
laurels die off, which is an indication at once there has 
been no fresh root growth owing to the rock-sand and 
gravel beneath." 

"Ah, that is also true in regard to Christian growth. 
There must be rootage in the things of God, if there is 
to be a correspondence in the life," was the responsive 
exclamation. 

Rootage in the grace of God gives the strong and healthy 
foliage of graciousness in the life (2 Tim. ii:i). 

Rootage in the love of God makes the conduct bright with 
the beautiful foliage of helpful acts of kindness (Eph. 
iii:i7; 1 John iii:i4-i7). 

Rootage in the truth of God forms the bright foliage of 
correspondence to it, and makes the soul healthy and 
wealthy in the World of His grace (111 John 1-4). 

Rootage in the holiness of God produces the evergreen 
foliage of holy living (1 Pet. i:i5). 

Rootage in the righteousness of God will cause the trees 
of righteousness to bring forth the fruits of righteous- 
ness, which means consistent and commendable action 
in our dealings with others (Phil. i:n). 



197 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Rootage in the ^ gentleness of Christ must generate in the 
conduct a similar trait in the foliage of character (Ps. 
xviii:35). 

And Rootage in the gladness of the Lord will cause the 
perfect foliage of His unspeakable joy, and the blossom 
of His unsurpassed glory to be fragrant in the soul 
to His praise (i Pet. i:8). 

When the roots of our faith take hold of the soil of 
God's Word, the foliage of our character will be bright 
and beautiful. 



Sacrifice. 

"The sacrifice of Himself" (Heb. ix:26). 
A well-known Christian worker was once asked how a 
certain Christian enterprise was to be successfully carried 
out. "Somebody's life blood" was the terse and trenchant 
reply. Success in the true sense of the word, is always 
obtained at the expense of sarcifice. 

Adam had an opened side before he got his beautiful bride 
(Gen. ii:2i). 

Isaac was laid on the altar before he met with Rebekah 

(Gen. xxii:2, 9; xxiv:67). 
Jacob served fourteen years for Rachel before he got her 

(Gen. xxix: 18-28). 
Job lost his possessions before he got the double portion 

(Job xliino). 

David's three mighty men risked their lives before they 
obtained for the king the desired water from the well 
at Bethlehem (1 Chron. xi:i7-i9). 

The apostles hazarded their lives to propagate the gospel 
(Acts xv 126). 

Christ gave Himself up to death before He could see of 
the travail of His soul (Matt. xxviii:20; I'sa. liiirio, 11). 
Calvary's cross not only proclaims the substitutionary 
benefits of Christ's death, but also the Divine principle 
that sacrifice is essential to every blessing and benefit 
of the Christian life. 

We must burn out before we can give out. We cease 
to bless when we cease to bleed. 

198 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Sacrifice. 

"The sacrifice and service of your faith" (Phil, ii'.iy). 

"In the Galerie des Beaux Arts in Paris there stands 
a famous statue. It was the last work of a great genius, 
who, like many a genius, was very poor and lived in a 
garret, which served as studio and sleeping room alike. 
When the statue was all but finished, one night a sudden 
frost fell on Paris. The sculptor lay awake in the fireless 
room and thought of the still moist clay, thought how the 
water would freeze in the pores and destroy in an hour 
the dream of his life. So the old man rose from his 
couch and heaped the bed-clothes reverently round his 
work. In the morning when the neighbors entered the 
room the sculptor was dead." He sacrificed his life to 
preserve his work. All work means sacrifice. 

(1) Christ's sacrifice is the inspiration to sacrifice. Of 
Christ it is said, "He gave Himself up for us, an offer- 
ing and a sacrifice to God" (Eph. v:2, r. v.). Unless 
the fire of our sacrifice is lighted at the altar of Christ's 
sacrifice there will be some trait of selfishness about it. 

(2) Love is the incentive to sacrifice. Christ loved me 
and "gave Himself up for me" (Gal. ii :20, r. v.). 
Love never thinks of cost, nor consequences, its concern 
is to meet the need of the object of its affection, like 
David's mighty men when they risked their lives in 
getting the drink of water for their beloved king (1 
Chron. xi:i8). 

(3) Surrender is the law of sacrifice. "This is you rea- 
sonable service" (Rom. xii:i), says the Holy Spirit, 
as He urges us to present "our bodies a living sacrifice." 
The yielded life of obedience is neither hard nor irk- 
some to the one who is captivated by the love of Christ. 
He who yields to the Spirit of Power finds the power 
of the Spirit yielded to him. 

(4) Service is the occupation of sacrifice. Paul was willing 
to be poured out "as a drink offering" (Phil, ii : 17, 
r. v. margin), in order to serve the saints, herein he 
showed his relationship to Him who came not to be 



199 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



ministered to, but to minister, and to give His life a 
ransom. The highest place in Heaven's order is to take 
the lowest position in humble service. Love to Christ 
shows itself in labor for others. 

Willingness is the soul of sacrifice. The lash of author- 
ity might move the slave to sacrifice his ease, but the love 
of attraction by Christ is the motive which constrains us 
to follow in the steps of Him, who said "I delight to do 
Thy will, O My God !" 



Saint's Dependence. 

"Without Me, ye can do nothing" {John xv:$). 

"To render Great Britain and Ireland self-supporting, 
they need 13,000 square miles at the present yield of 29.07 
bushels per acre — an area about one-fourth the size of 
England. But this is not available, for much of the land, 
now under barley and oats, would not be suitable for 
wheat. 

"For the present, then, the annual deficit of 180,000,000 
bushels must be imported and under these circumstances 
a permanently higher price for wheat is a calamity that 
must ere long be faced." 

The above facts, given by Sir W. Crookes, proclaim 
the dependence of Britain upon other countries for food 
supplies. 

But how much greater is the believer's dependence 
upon the Lord for spiritual supplies. Britain is only par- 
tially dependent upon other countries; we are absolutely 
dependent on the Lord. 

As sinners, we need the atoning Saviour to justify us (Rom. 

iv:25). 

As saints, we need the holy Saviour to sanctify us (John 
xvii :i9). 

As soldiers, we need the equipping Lord to arm us (Eph. 
vi :io, 11). 



200 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

As servants, we need the Living Christ to send us (John 
xx :2i). 

As stewards, we need the keeping Master to preserve us 

(n Tim. i:i2, r. v., margin). 
As suppliants, we need the Holy Spirit to inspire us (Rom. 

viii :26). 

And as seekers, we need His teaching to instruct us in the 
knowledge of Divine things (i Cor. ii:9-l4). 

******** 

The supply of God's grace is suitable for our need, 
sufficient in its bestowment, sustaining in its blessing, 
and adapted to our requirements. 



Salt. 

"Ye are the salt of the earth" (Matt. v.13). 

Every ton of Atlantic water, when evaporated, yields 
81 lbs. of salt ; a ton of Pacific water, 79 lbs. ; Arctic and 
Antarctic waters yield 85 lbs. to the ton; and the water 
of the Dead Sea, 187 lbs. 

I wonder how much Salt of Grace some professing 
Christians would yield, if they were analyzed? (Col. iv: 
6). The Lord says of His people, "Ye are the salt of 
the earth" (Matt. v:i v 3). Salt as used in the Scriptures 
is indicative of many things. 

It is binding in its import (Lev. H:i3J II Chron. xiii:5). 

Healthful in its application (11 Kings ii:20, 21). 

Savory in its taste (Job vi:6). 

Suggestive of soundness (Mark ix:5o). 

Good in its service (Luke xiv:34). 

Illustrative of witness-bearing (Matt. v:i3). 

And typical of grace (Col. iv:6). 

******** 

The Lord does not expect more from us than what He 
gives us, but He does expect us to use what He imparts. 



201 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Sanctification Which. Needs Sanctify- 
ing. 

"I cannot endure iniquity and sacred festival" {Rotherham's 
translation Is. 1:13). 

Ben was the 5-year-old son of good Methodist parents. 
One Sunday, while his mother was getting a meal ready, 
he ran into the kitchen. Sniffing delightedly at the 
savory odors, he exclaimed : 

"Thank the Lord, we are going to have chicken for 
dinner." 

"Ben, Ben!" cried the horrified mother, "don't you 
know you ought not to say such things ?" 

"Why, not?" replied Master Ben. "I'd like to have you 
know I've been sanctified, and I can say what I please." 

Many professedly sanctified are as self-assertive and 
self-expressing as the above boy. "I have found out my 
sanctification needs to be sanctified," said one who had 
come into the pure light of God's holiness, and found 
out her sinfulness. There is no self so abhorrent to the 
Lord as the religious self of self-righteousness. Humil- 
ity is the essence of holiness, the qualification for service, 
and the delight of heaven. When humility exists it is 
unconscious of its virtue, and loves to bloom out of sight. 

Mixtures are an abomination to Jehovah, and com- 
promise is hateful in His sight. The clean cut, and clear 
out and out life, is expressed in the following ascending 
scale of true sanctification. 

The "Come out" of whole-hearted separation (2 Cor. vi:i7). 
The "purge out" of all sin's leaven (1 Cor. v.j). 
The "walk in the light'* of fellowship with the Lord (1 
John i:7>. 

The "yield your members'* of a consecrated body (R©na. 
VL13; xii:i). 

The "filled with the Spirit" of the Spirit's entire possessiom 
(Eph. v:i8). 



202 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



The "walk as Christ walked" in obedience (i John ii:6). 
The "do all to the glory of God" in all things (i Cor. 
x:3i). 

* # * * # * * * 
To use the things of God for our own ends, is to abuse 
the blessings He bestows. His glory is the goal of all 
good. 



Satan: A Devour er. 

"Seeking whom he may devour" (i Pet. v:&). 

A well-known barrister at an assize in South Wales, 
was cross-examining a hostile witness, who had been par- 
ticularly shrewd in his replies. ''They sometimes call 
you a Devonshire dumpling, don't they?" asked the bar- 
rister, with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "I believe 
they do/' replied the witness. "But you are not a Devon- 
shire dumpling?" quoth the barrister. The witness waited 
till the laughter in court had subsided. "Hey, but if I 
had been a doompling," he drawled out at length, "you 
laryei s 'ud a' gobbled I up before now !" 

The Bible speaks of one who is ready to gobble up, 
or to use the exact word, "to devour" (i Pet. v:8). 

Satan seeks to devour the good seed of God's Word when 

it is sown (Matt. xiii:4). 
He seeks to get men to devour the powers God has given, 

like the prodigal (Luke xv:3o). 
He endeavors to get unprincipled men to devour widows' 

houses (Matt. xxiii:i4). 
He incites believers to act unkindly to each other, and this 

is spoken of as devouring each other (Gal. v:is). 
He moves the ungodly to devour believers by persecuting 

them (n Cor. xi:2o). 
And he would devour Christ and His own, if he could 

(Rev. xii:4). 

******** 

Be not food for Satan's feeding, but be a faithful 
friend for the Spirit's leading. 



203 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Secret of Endurance. 

"He endured, as seeing Him" (Heb. xi\2j). 

We reverse the sentence and make it read: "Seeing 
Him, he endured." Which at once gives us the thought, 
that seeing the Lord is the secret of endurance. Not 
seeing Him is to miss our way in life and find ourselves 
in the bog of despair. Seeing Him is to find the clue to 
every maze, and the secret to every mystery. 

It is one of the conceits of ancient poetry that the 
oarsman, Charon, was permitted on one occasion to visit 
the earth. From a lofty mountain-top he looked down 
upon the palaces and works of man. As he went away 
he said: "All these people are spending their time in just 
building birds'-nests. Building birds'-nests to be swept 
away in the floods, when they might be erecting palaces 
of immortal beauty to dwell in for ever — thus indeed 
must much of the best of our life and work in this world 
appear to the angels who look down upon us from heaven 
and see things as they are." 

The best way to look at things is to do as Moses did, 
not to be looking at things at all, but at Him, 

Looking at Him we shall be able to "endure hardness" as 

good soldiers (n Tim. ii:3), for we shall see Him as 

the Captain leading us to victory. 
Looking at Ilim we shall be able to "endure afflictions" 

(n Tim. iv:5), for we shall see Him as the Strength- 

ener by His grace (n Cor. xiiicj). 
Looking at Him we shall be able to "endure chastening' 

(Heb. xii.7), for we shall see Him as our loving Father 

training us by His discipline (Heb. xii:6). 
Looking at Him we shall be able to "endure persecutions'* 

(Heb. xii:2, 3), for we shall see Christ as our Great 

Exemplar. 

Looking at Him we shall be able to "endure grief' (1 Pet. 

ii:io), for we shall see we are following in the steps 

of the Saviour (1 Pet. ii:2i). 
Looking at Him we shall be able to "endure temptation" 

(Jas. i:i2), for we shall see Him with us in the fire 

(Dan. iii:25). 



204 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

And looking at Him we shall be able to "endure trial" (Heb. 
vi:i5), for we shall see Him as the Tester of our 
faith (i Pet. 1:7). 

We magnify earth's trifles when we look at them, 
but we glorify God when we see Jesus in all things and 
see all things in the light of Him. 



Seeing 1 His Face* 

"We shall see Him as He is" (1 John Hi 12). 
An American visitor having heard George Mtiller 
preach, at the close of the address went up to him and 
taking him by the hand, said, "I so enjoyed your sermon. 
I may never see you again here, but I shall meet you 
up yonder." The old man lifted up his face aglow with 
light from heaven and said, "I shall see His face, I shall 
kiss His feet." 

To see the Lord is the fulfilment of Christ's promise (John 

xvi:io, 16, 17, 19, 22). 
The realisation of our hope (Job. xix:26, 27). 
The reward of our suffering (Acts vii:56). 
The manifestation of His glory (Isa. Ixvi:i8). 
The sight which shall enrapture (Isa. xxxiii:i7). 
The climax of our bliss (1 John iii:2). 
The heaven of our heaven (Rev. xxii:4). 
And the outcome of purity (Matt. v:8). 
* * * * * * * * 

The light of heaven is the face of Jesus, and we cor- 
respond to it by having His likeness. 



Seeing-ness of the Spiritual. 

"To be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Rom. viii:6). 

There is a legend of a wonderful bell which rings in 
heaven, and whose sweet notes only those can hear whose 
hearts are pure and gentle. 

205 



PEARLS.. POIXTS AXD PARABLES. 



"It is said, somewhere, at twilight 

A great bell softly swings, 
And a man may listen and hearken 

To the wondrous music that rings. 
If he puts from his heart's inner chamber 

All the passion, pain, and strife, 
Heartache and weary longing. 

That throb in the pulses of life; 
If he thrusts from his soul all hatred, 

All thoughts of wicked things, 
He can hear in the holy twilight 

How the bell of the angels rings." 

Mark it is only the spiritually minded that hear the 
music of the heavenly bell. The same truth is empha- 
sised again and again in the pages of Holy Writ. 

The "pure in heart 1 ' are '"blessed," and ''see God" (Matt. 
t:8). 

The ' meek shall inherit the earth" (Psa. xxxvii :il). 
The "obedient" eat the good of the land (Isa. 1:19). 
'Moses, the man of G:d got to know the ways of God 
(Ps. ciii:7). 

Abraham, the man of prayer, was told God's purpose in rela- 
tion to the wicked (Gen. xviiLij, Sec). 

Paul, the sufferer with Christ, heard the unspeakable words 
of Paradise (11 Cor. xii 12-4) . 

Levi, the faithful for God, entered into the blessings of 
the covenant of peace (Mai. ii 14-6). 

Elijah, the man who stood before God, brought down the 
fire from heaven (1 Kings xvii:i; xviii 136, &c). 

Elisha, the man of faith, saw the compassing army of the 
Lord's protection (11 Kings vi:i7, &c). 

And John, the leaner on Jesus' breast saw the door opened 
in hearen (Rev. iv:i). 

******** 



To have the spiritual mind of the Spirit, we need to 
Blind the Spirit in the mind of His Word. 



206 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Self- Abasement. 

"Stood and confessed their sins" (Neh. ix:2, 3). 

No man in Scotland has a more saintly memory than 
Robert Murray McCheyne, and yet he said, "No one but 
God knows the abyss of sin in my heart." 

To another saintly man, some one said, when he was 
on his death-bed, "How happy you must be; the gates 
of heaven will be crowded with your converts waiting 
to greet you." But he replied, "Take the man away; if 
I can but crawl into heaven on my hands and knees 
before the gate shuts, I'll be the most blessed man in 
heaven." 

An aged father, when he was complimented on his 
work for Christ, said, "Call me not a saint; I am a 
devil." 

The following Biblical confessions of some of God's 
holy ones will go further to illustrate, that those who have 
lived nearest the Lord, ever had a bad opinion of them- 
selves : 

Job said, "I am vile" (Job xl:4). 
Isaiah cried, "I am undone" (Isa. vi:5). 
The Bride asserts, "/ am black" (Cant. i:5). 
David exclaims, "I am poor and needy" (Ps. xl:i7). 
Peter declared, "I am a sinful man" (Luke r:8). 
Paul confessed, "I am carnal" (Rom. vii:i4). 
And Christ Himself says, "/ am a worm" (Ps. xxii:6). 
******** 

When good self is on the top of bad self, keeping it 
down, good self is very proud of its achievement. 

The only way to get rid of self is to die to it in the 
death of Christ. Christ's death is the death of self, as 
well as the deliverer from sin. 

If the letters which make up the word "self" are re- 
versed with the addition of an "h," the "flesh" is re- 
vealed. Self is always the flesh in some form. 



207 



PEARLS, POIXTS AND PARABLES. 



Self-Forg*etfulness. 

"Let him deny himself" (Luke ix:2$). 

A friend, visiting a lighthouse, lately, said to the 
keeper, ''Are you not afraid to live here ? It is a dread- 
ful place to be constantly in." "No/' replied the man : "I 
am not afraid. We never think of ourselves here." 
"Never think of yourselves! How is that?" The reply 
was a good one. "We know that we are perfectly safe, 
and only think of having our lamps burning brightly, and 
keeping the reflectors clear, so that those in danger may 
be saved." That is what Christians ought to do. They 
are safe in a house built on a rock which cannot be moved 
by the wildest storm, and in a spirit of holy unselfishness, 
they should let their light gleam across the dark waves of 
sin. that they who are in peril may be led into the harbor 
of eternal safety. 

Those who forget themselves, in living for others, live 
for God. , ' 

Jonathan forgot himself when he gave hi? kingdom to 

David (i Sam. xxiii:i/). 
Mephibosheth forgot his possession in thinking of David 

(2 Sam. xix:3o). 
Isaac forgot himself in doing his father's will (Gen. 

xxii:7, 8). 

Naomi forgot herself in seeking to regain the lost inherit- 
ance for Ruth (Ruth iii:i-5). 

The little captive maid forgot her captivity in thinking of 
the need of her master (2 Kings v:2 5 3). 

David's mighty men forgot their danger in breaking through 
the rank? of the Philistines to gratify the wish of their 
master (1 Chron. xi:i8). 

The Apostles Paul and Barnabas were men who forget 
themselves, out of love for the Lord Jesus (Acts xv :26) . 

******** 

To exercise self denial is one thing and to deny self is 
another. In the first, certain things are denied to self : 
but in the second, self itself is denied. 



208 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Self-Holiness. 

"Great swelling words" {Jade 16). 

Dr. J. Parker said, "Suspect every man who declares 
himself to be holy in a perfect degree. He may be able 
to produce credentials substantiating his claim, but above 
all things first examine the credentials. A friend said to 
me that he heard a man make this observation, namely, 
that 'he was so full of the Holy Ghost that he did not 
believe the Holy Ghost Himself could find any more room 
in his soul for occupation.' 

"I knew nothing about the man who made that declara- 
tion, but I instantly said, 'That man is a bad man whoever 
he is.' 

"Said my friend, 'Do you know the man?' 

" 'Not at all,' I replied ; 'but he is a bad man.' 

" 'Well,' said he, 'it is curious that you did not know 
of the case, for not long after that, he created a most 
painful scandal in the Church.' " 

Again and again in the pages of Holy Writ, the men 
who give out their own worthiness soon evidence their 
utter worthlessness. The white-wash of self-assertion 
generally hides the corruption which is in the sepulchre 
of their own carnal nature. 

Gehazi declared faithfulness when he had by his covetous- 
ness proved his unfaithfulness (2 Kings v 120-27). 

Hazael professed that he was unable to perform a treacher- 
ous act, but straightway went and murdered his master 
(2 Kings viii:8-i5). 

Ananias and Sapphira made a great profession of whole- 
hearted consecration, when all the time they were keep- 
ing back part of the price (Acts v:i-io). 

The Pharisees professed righteousness, but Christ said that 
they were whited-sepulchres filled with the corruption 
of their own unrighteousness. 

Diotrephes gave out he was somebody, but he was only a 
wind-bag (3 John 9, 10). 



209 



PEARLS, POINTS AXD PARABLES. 

Nebuchadnezzar swelled out with the great pride of his 
"I." but he soon came to the dust (Dan. iv:30-36). 

Theudas gave out he was somebody and soon ended in noth- 
ing (Acts v 136). 

jp. sjc 4 s ■ 1 4* 4* 4? 

Those who adore themselves, will find that God abhors 
them. Self-righteousness is a coin not current with 
heaven. 



Separation Means Safety. 

"Enter not into the path of the wicked" {Prov. h:i^). 

Dr. Casagrandi, of Rome, employed a number of 
women wearing long skirts, to walk for one hour through 
the streets of the city, and after their promenade was 
over he had taken their skirts and submitted them to a 
careful bacteriological examination. He found on each 
skirt large colonies of noxious germs, including those 
of influenza, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, tetanus, 
and numerous other bacilli, which also were represented 
on each skirt. That women should willingly submit them- 
selves to the filth, to say nothing of the possible danger, 
of trailing skirts has long been a wonder to sensible 
people. The ordinary sticky mud which prevails in the 
streets of any city adheres closely the moment a garment 
touches the ground. It dries in the course of a few hours, 
and is then shaken off when the skirt is cleansed at home. 
Thus the vilest germs of the street invade the privacy of 
the best-kept houses. 

The Christian who wishes the garments of his spiritual 
life to be kept clean, must obey the following negative 
commands of the Lord: 

(1) The "Be not" of the unequal yoke (2 Cor. vi:i4)- 

(2) The "Touch not" cf separation (2 Cor. vin;). 



210 



PEARLS, POINTS AXD PARABLES. 

(3) The "Love not" of desire (1 John 11:15). 

(4) The "Set * * * not" of affection (Col. iii:2). 

(5) The "Walketh not" of unholy association (Ps. i:i). 

(6) The "Give not" of exclusiveness (Matt vii:6). 

(7) And the "Enter not" of temptation (Matt. xxvi:4i). 
******** 

The place of separation to the Lord is the place of 
power, as well as of purity. 



Shewing* Forth His Excellencies. 

'"Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God 
hath done unto thee" (Luke viii:sg). 
"Shew forth the excellencies of Him" (1 Pet. ii:g, R. v.). 

There was a chief in Xatal, South Africa, who did not 
object to his people becoming Christians, but he decided-h- 
ob jected to their becoming bad Christians. He put it this 
way: "If you become better men and women by being 
Christians, you may remain so ; if not, I won't let you be 
Christians at all." We cannot be Christian without being 
better, for He has called us out of darkness into His 
marvellous light, that we should show forth His excel- 
lencies, and the first place in which this is to be done is 
in our own home. 

How can we ''shew how great things the Lord hath 
done ?" 

(1) By shewing our faith is real by our works — "Shew 
Me thy faith by thy works" (James 11:18, margin). 

(2) By a '"'good life," evidencing our knowledge is valid — 
"Let him shew by his good life his works," &c. (James 
iii:i3, r. vj. 

(3) By obedience, demonstrating our love for others — 
"Shew ye to them * * the proof of your love" (2 
Cor. viii:24). 

(4) By fruit-bearing, testifying the reality of conversion 
— "They shew * * * how ye turned to God from 
idols" (1 Thes. i :g) . 



211 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

(5) By long-suffering, thus shewing our relationship to 
Christ — "I" obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ 
might shew forth all longsuffering" (1 Tim. i:i6). 

(6) By careful attention to study in Divine things, thus 
proving we seek God's approval — "Study to shew thy- 
self approved unto God" (2 Tim. ii:i5). 

(7) And by earnest diligence in continuing in the ways of 
God — "Shew the same diligence" (Heb. vi:n). 

* ******* 
His excellencies make us excellent. Let us remember 
they are His, and not ours. 



Shining*. 

"Let your light shine" (Matt. v:i6). 

When the late Earl of Beaconsfield, as Mr. Disraeli, 
was leader of the House of Commons, after a long sitting 
of the House, in the early hours of the morning he was 
making for Downing Street, deep in thought. He was 
accosted by a shoeblack, who asked him if he would have 
his boots blacked. The statesman, in an automatic way, 
put his foot on the box, and the boy commenced opera- 
tions. Suddenly Disraeli was conscious of the situation, 
and looking down on the boy said, "What is the best 
word in the English language?" "Shine, sir," was the 
boy's prompt reply. To shine for Christ is the best 
possible shine. To shine for Christ is 

(1) To bear witness of Him as John did (John v:35). 

(2) To be consistent in Him _ (Phil. ii:i5). 

(3) To be an influence for Him (Matt. v:i6). 

(4) To be obedient to Him (Matt. v:i6). 

(5) And to be transfigured with Him (Matt. xvii:2). 

Sjc 5}» 5jC ijc j|c sji ^Jc 

We may sing "O for the wings of a dove!" but it is 
better to shine in the ways of God. Shining is the best 
kind of singing, and makes the singer sing to purpose. 



212 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Shining' Saints. 

"Let your light so shine" (Matt. v:i6). 

"About 400 years ago there lived a man. in Italy, who 
wanted to do something for the world. He painted a 
picture for a little obscure chapel near his home — a pic- 
ture of the Christ Child and the Mother. In the face of 
the Child he painted a soft light, which has been a wonder 
and a delight ever since. It was a warm and hallowed 
light, which brightened the face of the mother as she 
bent over her child, and filled all the scene with a gentle 
radiance. The picture was a benediction to the peasants 
who lived about the village. They had their sorrows, 
their cares, their struggles, and that soft light cheered 
and heartened them, and made their hard, narrow life 
mean more to them. They called the painter Ariel, the 
light bringer, because he had brought that holy shining 
into their lives. We may all serve Christ in this way — 
not by painting pictures like Correggio's, but by carrying 
heavenly light on our faces in the love that shines there, 
and does not fade out in the darkest night." 

What the light is, Christians should be. 

As the light is illuminating in its ministry (Luke 11:32). 

Gladdening in its coming (Ecc. xi:7). 

Beautifying in its touch (Isa. Iviii :8) . 

Healing in its service (Mai. iii:2). 

White in its nature (Matt. xvii:2). 

Warming in its glow (John v.35). 

And quick in its movements (2 Cor. iv:4). 

So believers should be illuminating in their testimony, glad- 
dening in their life, beautifying in their character, heal- 
ing in their service, holy in their conduct, warm in their 
lore, and quick in their obedience. 

******** 

Meekness of spirit is the best meetness for service. Be, 
before you do, and then you will have pozver in your per- 
formance. 



213 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Slant Up and Shut In. 

"I am shut up and cannot come forth" (Ps. Ixxxviii'.S). "Shut 
the door upon thee" (2 Kings iv:^). 

The first Scripture speaks of the Psalmist's utter help- 
lessness. When we get to the point of utter extremity, 
God steps in with His bountiful plenty. The widow in 
Elisha's day was shut up to God, which was a gracious 
preparation for being shut in with Him, and then when 
she came out she was able to pay all her debts by God. 
We should have more to give out to others, if we were 
oftener found in the throne room of prayer with God. 
The lamp of testimony must be fed with the oil that is 
got from the Great High Priest in the sanctuary. 

"Down in the depths of Draper Colliery, several hun- 
dred feet under the surface and almost directly under 
his own home, Michael McCabe, thirty years old, of 
Gilberton, is entombed. He is behind thousands of tons 
of slush and dirt, alive, but doomed to death, beyond all 
hope of rescue." So read one of the newspapers in de- 
scribing an accident which occurred on November 11, 
1907, in Mahanoy City, in the State of Pennsylvania. 
And the paper in continuing the recountal of the sad in- 
cident, said, "He has been imprisoned since 1 p. m. Sat- 
urday, when he fired a blast which caused a cave-in ex- 
tending to the surface, where the slush banks were sit- 
uated. He fled in the wrong direction and got into a 
blind shaft. A fellow workman managed to get out of 
that wing of the colliery before the roof caved in. The 
mine breach extends to the surface, where it yawns sixty 
feet wide, right in front of McCabe's home, where his 
wife and six children vainly hope for his rescue. Mine 
officials say it may be a year before it will be possible to 
reach the place where the man is shut up." 

Happily after the above was written, the man was 
rescued. 

"Shut up!" How the words sound like a death-knell, 
and what a voice of reminder they have as we look at the 



214 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



words as they occur in the Holy Writ, reminding us of 
what sin does. 

(1) Isolation. "The priest shall shut him up that hath 
the plague" (Lev. xiii 14, 5, 21, 26, 31, 33). This was 
the Lord's direction when there was any sign of leprosy 
in the individual. The same rule applied to a garment 
(Lev. xiu:50, 54), or to a house (Lev. xiv:38), and 
even the one who entered the leprous house was "shut 
up" and was unclean (Lev. xiv:46). Sin, like leprosy, 
always separates from God and His service, whether it 
be in the inner life of the individual, in the outer gar- 
ment of the life, in the assembly of God's house, or 
those who have fellowship with those who are in sin. 

(2) Separation. "Jericho was straitly shut up" (Josh. 
vi:i). The inhabitants shut themselves up, but they 
did not know they were separated to doom, as the 
margin indicates, "Jericho did shut up, and was shut 
up." If the words "accursed" and "utterly destroyed" 
are pondered in Joshua vi. and vii., remembering the 
Hebrew word means "devoted;' as in the margin of 
vi:i7, it will be seen the city was separated to destruc- 
tion, devoted, or consecrated to judgment. This made 
Achan's sin the more sinful. He took of the "ac- 
cursed" (devoted) thing, and became an accursed man. 
If men will not be consecrated by grace to their bless- 
ing, they will be devoted by judgment to their con- 
demnation. 

(3) Salvation. "Shut up unto the faith" (Gal. 111:23). 
The word rendered "shut up" means to be inclosed so 
that there is no escape. It is given "inclosed" in Luke 
v :6 in speaking of fish being inclosed in a net, and it 
is translated ''concluded" in calling attention to Israel 
being "concluded * * * in unbelief," and the sinner 
being "concluded under sin" (Rom. xi:32; Gal. m\22). 
Unbelief shuts the unbeliever up in the Prison of 
Doubting Castle ; sin shuts the sinner up under the bane 
of condemnation, Scripture confirms the sentence, 
and the law shuts the unsaved up to the faith of the 
Gospel, for it is only in that faith, that salvation is 
found in Christ, and deliverance is possible. 

(4) Persecution. "Herod shut John up in prison" (Luke 
iii -.20) ; and Saul confessed. "The saints did I shut up 
in prison" (Acts xxvino). The Enemy's stick of per- 
secution is often a staff to help the saint along. Bed- 
ford Jail, Aberdeen prison, the Tower of London, the 
French Bastile, are immortalized, not because of the 



215 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



evil men who persecuted the saints, but because of 
saintly John Bunyan, the seraphic Samuel Rutherford, 
Madame Guyon, and others, who consecrated them and 
found them wells in the desert and fountains of bless- 
ing to others. If it were lawful we might pass a vote 
of thanks to his Satanic Majesty for bringing so much 
meat out of the eater, honey out of the rock, and water 
of blessing out of the flinty rock. 

(5) Communion. "When thou hast shut thy door" (Matt. 
vi:6). The word might be rendered "shut up thy door," 
for it is so given in Matt. xxiii:i3, in speaking of those 
who "shut up" the kingdom of heaven. There are some 
things we can only tell in secret to our Father : and 
before this is done, there must be the shut door, keep- 
ing out all disturbing elements. Yea, even more, the 
shut door is emblematic of the separated heart to the 
Lord, for there can be no communion with Him unless 
there is separation to Him and concentrated waiting 
upon Him. 

(6) Conclusion. The conclusion of the Holy Spirit is 
simple and direct in the case of one who professes to 
love God and "shutteth up his bowels of compassion" 
against the need of a brother (1 John iii:i7). Love 
to God is expressed in love to our fellows. The very 
evidence of knowing God in His grace, is letting that 
grace flow out to others' help. The fire of love is 
fanned into a flame of warm help by the breath of the 
Spirit of God. 

(7) Union. "The doors were shut" (John xx: 19-26), or 
"shut up," for so the word is given in speaking of 
Satan being "shut up" in the bottomless pit (Rev. xx:3). 
The fearful disciples were driven together by a com- 
mon fear and bolted themselves in the upper room, 
but there the uncommon Saviour met them, and drove 
away their fears, imparted His peace, assured their 
hearts, breathed new life into them, gladdened their 
spirits, and commissioned them anew for service. 

The union of God's saints is essential for Christ's new 
visitations. There are things which can only come to 
God's people as they are of one accord, and the world is 
shut out. Lookers-on scare away the gentle Dove of 
God's Spirit. 



216 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Biding' with God. 

"Who is on the Lord's side" (Ex. xxxii:26). 

In the war of 1861, a timid supporter said to Lincoln, 
that he hoped the Lord would be on the side of the North. 
Lincoln replied, "About that I am not at all concerned; 
but only that we should be on the side of the Lord." 
That is the one thing needful, and that once assured, we 
may go forward bearing our witness and doing our duty, 
whether losing, whether winning, undismayed by the foes 
of truth and righteousness, and certain that the cause of 
God will finally be triumphant ! 

To be on the Lord's side 

•Means obedience to Him (Ex. xxxii '.26-28) . 
Approval from Him (Luke ix:5o). 
Help to Him (Judges v:23). 
Separation in Him (Dan. iii: 1-25). 
Fellowship with Him (Josh. v:i3, 14). 
Supply through Him (John xv:5). 
And reward from Him (Matt. xix:28). 

* * * * * sff * * 

He always wins who sides with God. God is on our 
side, when we are on the side of God. 



Sinner's Character. 

"The whole head is sick," &c. (Isa. 

The Rev. James McQueen, one of the ministers of 
Syke, used to relate that a man by the name of McPher- 
son, from the braes of Lochabar, came to him for the 
christening of one of his children. As he was a stranger, 
the minister enquired his name, connections, and what 
parish he had come from ; and, in particular, if he had 
brought a testimonial of his character? 

"Huich? A testimonial? Fat pe she?" 



217 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

"Why, it is just a written account of the character you 
have borne, and testified by the minister and elders of the 
parish." 

"Oach, no, Mr. McQueen, she didna brought her." 

"But you ought to have done so. What was the reason 
you did not bring it with you ?" 

"Because herself was thoughting she would be as petter 
without it." 

Practically the Scot admitted he had no character but 
a bad one. This is true of the sinner, for God says : 

His heart is bad (Jer. xvii:o). 
His mind is carnal (Rom. viii:7). 
His reason is gone (Ecc. ix:3). 
His way is corrupt (Gen. vi:i2). 
Hie understanding is darkened (Eph. iv:i8). 
His tongue is poisonous (Rom. iii : 13) . 
His hands are violent (Isa. lix :6) . 
His eyes are blind to spiritual things (2 Cor. iv.4). 
His ears are deaf to the voice of God (2 Tim. iv:4), and 
that 

His whole nature, from the crown of the head to the soles 
of his feet, is diseased with iniquity (Isa. i:5, 6). 

Sin has blinded the eyes of man's understanding, hence, 
he cannot see himself as he is, nor the evil of sin, nor 
iniquity in its blackness. The sin of the sinner, has 
blurred the eyes of the sinner to his sin. 

Sleeping 1 Sickness. 

"Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead" (Eph, v.14). 

Who has not read about that strange "sleeping sick- 
ness" which finds so many victims in Central Africa?' 
They sink into a fatal lethargy. Between 1901 and 1904 
more than 100,000 persons died of it in Uganda. Where 
it appears, the majority of the population may be regarded 
as dead men. The British Government has discovered 
that the sleeping sickness is caused by a blood parasite 



218 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

which enters the body by means of a fly bite. Little or 
no pain is felt at the time. The parasite, sucked up by 
the fly from the blood of the animal it bites, multiplies in 
the man. For even as long- as three years he may not 
know that anything is the matter with him. At last the 
protozoan reaches the cerebro-spinal canal. The lym- 
phatic glands of the neck are affected. The blood-vessels 
of the brain are obstructed. The brain is no longer 
nourished. Death is unavoidable. Of course the natives 
see no connection between the fly bite and the death so 
long removed. They let the flies bite, and will not even 
take the trouble to brush them off. The white man cuts 
down the jungle about the house, and makes that fly- 
proof and mosquito-proof. Though they know the cause 
of the disease, the doctors are powerless to save the 
natives. 

How many there are suffering from a worse disease 
than sleeping sickness, namely, spiritual slumber. 
Spiritual sleep means : 

(1) To be in a state of ignorance, as the three disciples 
on the mount of transfiguration (Luke ix:32). 

(2) To be in a state of unwatch fulness, as Christ indi- 
cates in the parable of the tares and wheat (Matt, 
xiii :25). 

(3) To be out of fellowship with Christ, as is seen when 
the disciples slept in the garden instead of watching 
with Him (Matt, xxvi:40, 43, 45). 

(4) To be in a state of prayerlesstuss, as may be gathered 
by Christ's rebuke to His disciples (Luke xxii:46). 

(5) To be in a state of unreadiness for Christ's return 
(1 Thess. v:6, 7). 

(6) To be in a state of disobedience, as Jonah was when 
asleep in the boat going to Tarshish, when he ought to 
have been in Nineveh (Jonah i:6). 

And (7) To be in a state of idleness as the ten virgins 

were (Matt. xxv:5). 
The injunction is to awake for the Lord is near (Rom. 

xiii:ii); and the Lord promises to give light as we 

obey Him (Eph. v:i4). 

The sickness of the soul generally arises from the sleep- 
iness of the saint. To be alive is a sign of health, and the 
means of keeping health. 

219 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Slippery Places. 

"Slippery places" (Ps. Ixxiii :iS). 

A deacon was walking home with his minister one 
frosty night, when the minister slipped and fell back on 
the pavement. "Ah," said the deacon, looking at him; 
"Sinners stand on slippery places." The minister looked 
up at him as if to assure himself of the fact, and said, 
"I see they do, but I can't !" 

The best way to save ourselves from slipping is to keep 
away from the slippery places. 

Blind-man's Alley (n Peter i:9). 
Self-confidence Street (Luke xxii:33). 
Pridewell Square (i Tim. iii:6). 
Love-of-Money Court (i Tim. vino). 
Selfishness Terrace (2 Tim. iii:2). 
Worldly Conformity Row (Rom. xii:2). 
And Fleshly Place (Rom. xiiiriz).), are very slippery places, 
and need to be carefully avoided. 

The grit of God's truth will give us grip in the slippery 
places of life. The Lord can make our feet like hind's 
feet when we have the hearkening ears of obedience. 



Sowing 1 and Reaping*. 

"Every man shall bear his own burden" (Gal vi:$). 

A woman in affluent circumstances dreamed she was in 
heaven. The angel who was showing her round, showed 
her a beautiful mansion. She asked who it was for. 

"Your coachman," was the reply. 

"That cannot be," she rejoined, "for he only lived in a 
lodge on my estate." . 

She was then shown a cottage, and she again enquired 
for whom it was constructed. 

"That is for you," was the answer. 



220 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



"There must be some error here," she again objected. 

"No, there is no mistake ; it is true you lived in a much 
larger building down on the earth, but this is all we could 
make out of the material you sent up. Your coachman 
sent up more material, and we were able to make the 
mansion you see." 

There is a principle illustrated in the dream, which is 
enunciated again and again. 

The servant who traded with the pound and got ten re- 
ceived rule over ten cities (Luke xix:i6, 17). 

The man who used his talents got a corresponding reward 
to the use he made of them (Matt, xxv 120-23). 

The material built on the foundation is the gauge to de- 
termine what reward the workman shall receive (1 Cor. 
iii 112-15). 

The one who adds to his faith the fulness of the Christian 
graces, has added to him an abundant entrance into the 
kingdom (2 Pet. i:ii). 

The Christian reaps what he sows (Gal. vi :j) ; and "every 
man shall bear his own burden," or load ; as the 
farmer in the harvest reaps what he has previously- 
sown. The illustration embodied in the words is that 
of a harvest home scene as the last load is brought in, 
and the whole harvest is surveyed. He who would 
have praise from God, must have something He can 
praise. 

The measure of our glory in heaven will be according 
to the use of our talents on earth. 



Sphere of the Saint. 

"In Christ Jesus" (1 Cor. 1:2). 

Allen Gardiner's heroic efforts among the Fuegians are 
well known, and the noble man's death in his endeavor 
to carry the gospel to them. When his dead body was 
found beside his boat, it was noticed that a hand was 
rudely drawn on the rocks pointing to these verses of the 
62nd Psalm: — 



221 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



"My soul, wait thou only upon God! 
For my expectation is from Him. 
He only is my Rock and my Salvation ; 
He is my Defense, I shall not be moved. 
In God is my salvation and my glory ; 
The rock of my strength, and my refuge is in God." 

Mark the words "In God." The sphere in which he 
moved, the element in which he delighted, the atmosphere 
in which he breathed, and the circle which separated 
him from all else, was the Lord Himself. Gardiner's 
environment was above the world, he lived and moved in 
the heavenly places, and was, therefore, beyond the touch 
of sin, the discouragement of circumstances, the worry 
of care, the blandishments of the world, the seductions 
of the flesh, the blast of suffering, and the folly of pride. 

The sphere of the child of God is aptly described as 
"in Christ Jesus." With this one thought, let us ponder 
Paul's seven references, in which this sentence occurs, in 
his second letter to Timothy, and as we do so, we shall 
discover seven distinct things which are found in Christ 
and which we find as we live and move, and have our 
being in Him. 

(1) "Life in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. i:i). The life < to 
which reference is made is greater than physical life, 
mental life, moral life, social life, etc., it is "the life" 
(r. v.), "the eternal life" (1 Tim. vi:i2, r. v.), the "life 
indeed" (1 Tim. vi:i9). God is the giver of this life 
(Rom. vi:23), Christ is its Embodiment (John xiv:6), 
the gospel is its instrument (2 Tim. i:io), the know- 
ledge of God and Christ is its meaning (John xvii:3), 
"eternal" is its character (John x:28), faith is its ac- 
ceptor (John iii:36), the Holy Spirit is its power (Rom. 
viii:2), and glory is its consummation (Col. iii:4). 

(2) "Called * * * in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. i:9). The 
calling is a "holy" one. The call comes wholly from 
God, therefore, is all of grace, and it claims wholly for 
God, therefore, it is holy. He who calls is holy, and 
that to which we are called is holy too.^ Light is the 
sphere into which He called us (1 Pet. ii:o); holiness 
is the path in which we are called to walk (1 Pet. i:is) ; 
Christ's Example is the model for our imitation, when 



222 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



we suffer wrongfully (i Pet. ii:2i); we are called to 
exhibit the graces of the Spirit (Eph. ivn-4); virtue 
is the one thing which leads to glory, to both of which 
we are called (2 Pet. 1:3) ; life, liberty, and peace are a 
trinity of blessings we are called to enjoy (1 Tim. vi:i2; 
Gal. v.13; 1 Cor. vii;is); and fellowship with Christ 
is the apex of the believer's calling (1 Cor. 1:9). 

"Hold fast * * * in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. i 113)- 
The thing which we are to hold is "the form of sound 
words." The manner in which the truth is to be held 
is "in faith and love." The sphere in which the "sound 
words" are to be held is, "in Christ Jesus ;" and the 
way in which the truth is to be held is aptly described 
as "hold fast." The word "echo" rendered "hold fast," 
means "to have and to hold," that is, a continuous 
possession. The apostle may have had in his mind 
those who had "erred concerning the faith" (1 Tim. 
vi :2i ; 2 Tim. ii:i8), hence, he exhorts Timothy to 
"hold fast," and there was only one way to do this, 
he must be held to hold, therefore, his "faith and love" 
must be "in Christ Jesus." 

"Grace * * * in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. ii:i). The 
grace "in Christ" has many traits, and various are the 
many things to which it may be compared. This grace 
is beauty to charm, for He is "full of grace" (John 
i:i4); a well to supply, for "all grace" is promised 
(2 Cor. ix :8) ; a bar to fix, for we are exhorted to be 
"established in grace" (Heb. xiii:9); clothing to en- 
velop, as Paul says when he bears testimony to the 
sufficiency of grace (2 Cor. xii :g) ; salt to preserve, 
hence, we are to be "seasoned" with it (Col. iv :6) ; an 
atmosphere to stimulate, hence, we are to "grow in 
grace" (2 Pet. iii:i8) ; and a hope to cheer, for we are 
looking for the grace to be revealed at the coming of 
Christ (1 Pet. 1:13). 

"Salvation * * * in Christ Jesus with eternal 
glory" (2 Tim. ii:io). The salvation mentioned is the 
future salvation of the body. Salvation has 
three main aspects. (1) The salvation wrought out 
for us by the death and resurrection of Christ, by 
which we are delivered from condemnation (Tit. ii:ii; 
Eph. ii :8) ; the salvation wrought within us by the 
Spirit's effective grace (Phil. ii:i2, 13); and the sal- 
vation wrought upon us, when Christ returns (Phil. 
iii:20, 21; Heb. ix:28; 1 Pet. i:5). 



223 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



(6) Godliness "in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. iii:i2). The 
God-like One can only make like God. God manifest 
in the flesh is the One who can manifest God in our 
flesh. The Brightness of God's glory can make us 
bright with His glory. The Express Image of the 
Father can stamp us with the Father's image. The 
Lord in His beauty can reproduce in us the beauty of 
Himself. 

(7) "Faith in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 111:15). Faith in 
Christ is soul-lifting in its exercise (Acts xxvi:i8), 
love-producing in its outcome (Eph. i : 15 ) , work-en- 
abling in its grace (1 Thess. 1:3), strength-ministering 
in its endurance (2 Cor. 1:24), heart-encouraging in 
its trust (Matt. xy:28), Christ-honouring in its rest 
(Gal. ii:2o), and victory-gaining in its conflict (1 John 
v: 4 ). 

"'The believer is sitting in heavenly places in Christ 
Jesus (Eph. ii:4-6), while the world lieth in the wicked 
one (1. John v:iCj)." 



Spirit's Diversified Operation. 

"There are diversities of operations, but it is the same Spirit" 

(1 Cor. xii:6). 

"We have heard of a little child, who so simply trusted 
Christ for salvation, that she could give no account of 
any 'law work.' And as one of the old examiners, who 
thought there could be no genuine conversion without 
a period of deep conviction, asked her: 'But, my dear, 
how about the Slough of Despond.' She dropped a curt- 
sey, and said: 'Please, sir, I didn't come that way!'" 

A great mistake is made, when we think the Holy 
Spirit confines Himself to one mould in His working. « 

The heart of Lydia was opened gently, like the flower 
which opens to the kiss of the morning's sun (Acts 
xvi :i4). 

The Philippian jailer was shaken to the foundations of 
his being, like the jail over which he watched (Acts 
xvi 129, 30). 



224 



PEARLS, POINTS AXD PARABLES. 



Saul of Tarsus was smitten to the ground, and made to 
cry out in extreme anguish, like an animal which had 
kicked violently against an ox goad (Acts ix:5). 

The woman of Samaria had her curiosity aroused, as Christ 
spake to her of the Living Water, till, like a thirsty 
traveller in an arid plain who sees a spring, she longed 
for a draught from its satisfying well (John iv:i5). 

Nicodemus was confronted with a difficulty, like a pedes- 
trian who finds a high wall built across his path, as 
Christ told him of the necessity of being born again 
(John 111:4). 

The palsied man was surprised into the salvation of God, 
as Christ told him of the forgiveness of his sins, when 
he was only looking for healing to his body, like one 
who finds himself suddenly in possession of a fortune 
(Matt. ix:2, 6). 

And the woman, who was a sinner, with her burden of 
sinful debt, was relieved of her load by Christ's deliver- 
ing grace, like one who was sinking beneath a heavy 
load, and found it lifted from off his shoulders (Luke 
vii 148) . 

It is one thing to be a channel of the Spirit's communi- 
cations, and it is another thing to be the subject of His 
operation. Balaam was the former: Stephen was the 
latter. 



Spirit's Interpretation. 

"To one is given by the Spirit * * interpretation" (1 Cor. 
xii: '8-10) . 

At a public meeting a speaker, whose bearing and 
clothes indicated he was a person of importance, began to 
speak, but no one was interested. The reason was plain, 
the people did not understand him. He was a Chinese 
Prince, and spoke in his own language. Suddenly a 
young man got upon his feet, and began to interpret the 
words of the Prince. No longer were the eyes of the 
people dull, or their countenances unenlightened, but 
smiles and tears played upon their faces as the interpreted 
message came to them. 



225 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



When the Spirit works He always interprets. The 
words, "being interpreted," or "by interpretation" are 
frequently given by way of explanation. 

(1) A Present God — "Emmanuel, being interpreted, God 
with us" (Matt. 1:23). 

(2) A Significant Place — "Golgotha * * * being in- 
terpreted, the * * place of a skull" (Mark xv:22). 

(3) A Meanful Cry — "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? 
which is, being interpreted, My God, My God, why 
hast Thou forsaken Me?" (Mark xv.34). 

(4) A Glorious Teacher — "Rabbi, being interpreted, Mas- 
ter" (John i:38). 

(5) The Anointed Saviour — "Messias, being interpreted, 
the Christ" (John 1:41). 

(6) A Changed Sinner — "Thou shalt be called Cephas, 
which is by interpretation, a stone" (John i:42). 

(7) A Devoted Saint — "Barnabas, which is being inter- 
preted, the son of consolation" (Acts iv:36). 

(8) A Royal Priest — "Melchizedek, King of Salem * * 
* being first, by interpretation, King of Righteousness, 
and then King of Salem, which is King of Peace ' 
(Heb. vii:i, 2). 

Other examples might be given, such as are found in John 
ix 7 ; Mark v 141 ; and Acts xiii :g. All this goes to 
show, the Spirit is a God of order, and that He makes 
things clear to those who are taught of God (1 Cor. 
xiv:33). 

******** 

The interpretations of the Spirit are always illuminat- 
ing, and inspiring. They educate the mind and enliven 
the heart. 



Spiritual Radium. 

"Filled with all the Fulness of God" (Eph, iii:ig). 

It Is said, 'The radium compounds fling emanations 
into the air without any sensible diminution of bulk, ar- 
resting and healing malignant growths, and penetrating 
the stoutest armor or sheath. So the man, who is full 



226 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



of this Divine quality, is able to heal, penetrate and save, 
and to do this perpetually without losing aught of his 
power, which is fed from an unseen source. It is said 
that there are invisible rays in the shafts of sunlight, not 
included in the bands of color, which have healing power. 
So I am persuaded some natures fed from the atmos- 
phere of the unseen radiate a kind of actinic ray, which 
heals people, and which you cannot account for by their 
genius, eloquence, imagination, or any other gift, which 
can be weighed, analyzed, or placed under the micros- 
cope." 

The meaning of the word "fulness" in Eph. iii : 19 is com- 
pleteness, perfection, sufficiency. The root word is 
rendered "perfect" (Rev. iii:2), "complete" (Col. ii:io) 
and "full" (Phil. iv:i8). The use of the Greek word 
will illustrate its richness. 

A Claim Fulfilled. Christ's word to John, "Thus it be- 
cometh us to fulfill all righteousness" (Matt, iii : 15 ) . 

A Work Accomplished. Christ's conversation on the 
Mount, "Spake of His decease which He should accom- 
plish" (Luke ix:3i). 

A Witness Borne. The Spirit's coming "Filled all the 
house" (Acts ii:2). 

An Obedience Rendered. "When your obedience is ful- 
filled" (2 Cor. x:6). 

A Need Supplied. "My God shall supply all your needs" 
(Phil. iv:i9). 

An Attitude Maintained. Stand * * * complete in 

all the will of God (Col. iv:i2). 
An Assured Joy. "Your joy may be full' 9 (1 John i:4). 

* * * * * * * * 

To know the fulness of God experimentally is to re- 
ceive to the full all the above blessings. 



Staying 1 Power. 

"Patient continuance in well doing" {Rom. u.7). 

"Examples of staying-power. Turn to the realm of 
science. I read some time ago of an entomologist, Mr. 
Frank Enoch, watching the movements of a tiger-beetle 



227 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



continuously for a day and night. G. J. Romanes spoke 
of a whole year's work on one particular branch of 
scientific enquiry as only counting for apprenticeship. 
Charles Darwin spent thirty years observing the habits 
of the common earth-worm. All these are examples of 
staying-power. Turn to the realm of discovery. Think 
how Stanley persisted until he penetrated into the heart 
of Darkest Africa, and how Nansen held on his way until 
he came nearer the North Pole than any explorer who 
had preceded him. Among the noblest examples of this 
order are those which meet us on the foreign mission 
field. Think of Robert Morrison toiling in China seven 
years before he gained a single convert, and then toiling 
for three years more ere he gained a second. Think of 
Robert Moffat, laboring among the Bechwanas for ten 
years before seeing any signs of ingathering. Look 
around; everywhere are evidences of what has been 
wrought by those who had the power to endure. Near 
the river Wear, is the national memorial of that 
saintly and learned Englishman, the Venerable Bede. 
Talk of staying-power ! His life was a splendid illus- 
tration and pattern of it. His work, we are told, was 
done with small aid from others. T am my own secre- 
tary,' he wrote ; T make my own notes. I am my own 
librarian.' But no less than forty-five works remained 
after his death to attest to his quiet plodding industry. 
Our abbeys and cathedrals are monuments, not only to 
the piety and devotion, but also to the staying-power of 
the men of the Middle Ages. We are in too great a 
hurry to build now as they built then ; we are not patient 
and painstaking enough." 

The following Scriptures where the same Greek word, 
is rendered "Patient continuance " tell out what the Holy 
Spirit says about staying-power. 

(1) Evidence of Real Conversion. "Bring forth fruit 
with patience" (Luke viii :i5) . 

(2) Test of Faith. "Tribulation worked patience" (Rom. 
v:3; James '1:3, 4). 



228 



PEARLS, POINTS AXD PARABLES. 



(3) Reveals Soundness in the Spiritual Life. i- Sound 
in faith, love, and patience" (Tit. ii:2). 

(4) Shows We are Keeping on in the Race. "Run with 
patience" (Heb. xii:i). 

( 5 ) Proves We are Obedient to Add to Our Faith, "Pa- 
tience 97 (2 Pet i :6>. 

(6) Needs the Empowerment of the Spirit. "Strength- 
ened unto all patience" (CoL i:n). 

(7) Such Endurance Will Be Rewarded by Fruit. 
(Rev. ii:2, 3, 19; hi: 10}. 

To endure is the way to be sure. 



Steps in the Deeper Life. 

"Still upward" (Ese. xli:j). 

"Expressions by an Expert" was the suggestive ad- 
vertisement in a car. There were given five pictures, 
under which were the words, "Contemplation," "'Expec- 
tation,"' "Realization," "Admiration," "Exultation." 

Happy are those believers who have the contemplation of 

faith, in beholding the Lord in a lively trust, like 

Moses (Heb. xi:27). 
The expectation of prayer, in waiting upon the Lord in 

earnest supplication, like the psalmist (Ps. v:3). 
The realization of holiness, in obeying the Lord fully, like 

Joshua and Caleb (Josh. xiv:i4). 
The admiration of love, in whole-hearted affection for the 

Lord, like Mary Magdalene (John xx:i). 
And the exultation of joy, in glorying in the Lord, like the 

Apostle Paul (Rom. v:ii). 

Involution, evolution, and revolution are three words 
which indicate three steps in the Spirit life. The involu- 
tion of His life, the evolution of that implanted life m. 
practical godliness, and the revolution which is mani- 
fested in the different life of the believer. 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Stooping* to See. 

"Mary * * * sat t the Lord's feet, and heard His word" (Luke 
x: 39, R. v.). 

Pastor W. Y. Fullerton, in speaking of one of the 
temples at Baalbek, in Syria, says : "There is a series of 
steps, up which it is still possible to reach the top of the 
wall; but the entrance to the stairs was then blocked, so 
that the only way to get into the tower was to lie on the 
ground on one's face, and wriggle the body through the 
tiny aperture. It was a difficult and somewhat humbling 
task, yet even several of the ladies accomplished it. This 
suggested the strait gate by which entrance is gained to 
life eternal, and the eternal truth that it is only when we 
humble ourselves that we can be exalted." 

In order to reach the top of the wall, the humble po- 
sition had to be taken. It is the same with spiritual 
blessing. 

Zaccheus "came down' 9 and found salvation (Luke xix:6). 
Mary Magdalene "stooped down" and saw the angels (John 
xx:ii, 12). 

The leper "kneeled down" and received cleansing (Luke 
1:40). 

The palsied man was "let down'* and got forgiveness (Luke 
ii:4). 

Peter "fell down*' before Christ and was humbled (Luke 
v:8). 

Christ "lay down" His life and got the sheep (John x:i5). 
Mary sat down at the feet of Christ and learned the Lord's 
secrets (Luke x:39). 
******** 

The lowly place is always the holy place. 

Sufficiency of Christ's Atonement. 

"It sufficeth us" (John xiv:8). 
"The Lord is my Righteousness. I am resting in the 
finished work of Christ alone for my soul's salvation." So 
said an aged saint of eighty-seven, after a long, consistent 



230 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



life in the Lord's service. But she felt that Christ, and 
Christ alone, could meet the necessity of her soul. 

I said: "Christ and His finished work are enough." 

Whereupon she exclaimed: "We don't want any 
more, that is enough ; yea, more than enough. Plenty !" 

She did not rest in her consistent life, nor her service 
for the Lord. Christ and His finished work were the 
Alpha and Omega of her salvation. 

The hungry wolves of sin, hell, and death may rage 
and prowl in search of our life, they cannot touch us if 
we are sheltered in Christ, for His precious blood is not 
only the plea that prevails with God for our acceptance, 
but it is also the power that puts to flight every wolf of 
hell. 

Christ's finished work is the panacea for the ill of sin 
(i John i:7). 

The peace-maker for our reconciliation with God (Col. 
i:2o). 

The price of our redemption from sin's slavery (Tit. ii : 14) . 
The power which enables us to overcome Satan's malice 
(Rev. xii:ii). 

The potentiality which constrains us to live for God (2 
Cor. v:i5). 

The pattern for our imitation in dying to self (John 
xii:24, 25). 

And the propeller in Christian service (2 Cor. v:i4). Those 
who trust Christ, find Him and His precious blood 
"more than enough." Trust Him, and you will find 
Him the same. 
******** 

The finished work of Christ is a work which is finished. 
This goes without the saying to those who accept what 
God says, but to those who want to add their say to what 
He says, it is necessary to say it. 



Talkative and Company. 

"The talk of the lips tendeth only to penury" (Prov. xiv.23). 

A thoughtful mathematician has just been calculating 
how far the male human jaw moves in a lifetime of 70 

231 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



years, and he makes it out to be 6,835,470 inches, which, 
divided by 63,360, the number of inches in a mile, gives 
107 miles and a fraction. But they cornered this mathe- 
matician at last. "If your figures are right," they asked, 
"how far does the female jaw travel in the same time?"' 
He is still at the problem. 

We are not prepared to endorse the above quotation re 
the feminine part of it, for the other sex are about equal 
sinners. There is one thing believers in Christ should 
ever avoid, namely, 

To be classed with "busy-bodies" (2 Thess. iii:ii). 

"Praters" (3 John 10). 

"Boasters" (2 Tim. iii:2). 

"Vain talkers" (Tit. i:io). 

"Tattlers" (1 Tim. v:i3). 

"Meddlers" (1 Pet. iv:i5, R. v.). 

And unruly speakers (Jude 10). 

******** 

When there is a sting in the tongue there is gall in the 
heart. A sanctified heart shows itself in a sweet tongue. 



Testing* of Trial. 

"The trial of your faith * * * precious" (1 Pet. i:7h 

A man with a heart almost overwhelmed with trial and 
temptation, had recourse to a good Bishop of France. 
He told his case, and added : "I pray for faith, and ask 
for light, but am overwhelmed with doubts. Surely, if 
I were not despised of God, He would not leave me to 
struggle thus with the great adversary of souls." The 
Bishop thus consoled him: "The King of France has 

232 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



two castles in different situations, and sends a com- 
mander to each of them. The Castle of Montleberry 
stands in a place remote from danger and far inland ; but 
the Castle of La Rochelle is on the coast, where it is 
liable to continual sieges. Now, which of the two com- 
manders, think you, stands the highest in the estimation 
of the King — the commander of La Rochelle, or he of 
Montleberry?" "Doubtless," said the man, "the King 
values him the most who has the hardest task, and 
braves the greatest dangers." "Thou art right," replied 
the Bishop. "Now apply this matter to thy case and 
mine ; for my heart is like the Castle of Montleberry, and 
thine like that of La Rochelle." 

Trial proves the genuineness of our faith, as illustrated in the 
children of Ephraim who "turned back" (Ps. lxxviiLg), 
and Abraham who did not "withhold" what the Lord 
asked (Gen. xxii:i2). 

Trial evidences the degree of our faith, as illustrated in the 
"little faith" of the disciples (Matt. xvi:8), and the 
"great faith" of the woman (Matt. xv:28). 

Trial is sent to wean us from earthly resources as is seen 
in the Lord's dealing with Gideon (Judges vi:ii-i4; 
vii :i7). 

Trial is a means to greater fruitfulness, hence, the prun- 
ing of the Heavenly Husbandman (John xv:2). 

Trial is a preventative grace, for the Lord often allows 
a "thorn" to keep down the flesh and to cast us upon 
Him in prayer, as He did in the case of Paul (2 Cor. 
XH7-9). 

Trial is a qualifying grace, for the Lord often sharpens 
His children on the grindstone of discipline that H* 
may temper us for effective use (Heb. xii:6). 

Trial is a fore-rimrer of reward (1 Pet. i:7). 

To be tested by the Lord is necessary that we may 
triumph in Him. Trials make triumphs possible, and 
triumphs through trial make the Lord precious. 



233 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



The Beautiful Christ, 

"Chief est among ten thousand" (S. S. v:io). 

In the vicinity of the Duomo, in Florence, are the 
bronze gates that Michael Angelo said were fit to be the 
gates of Paradise. Once they were covered with exquisite 
enamel work. The decorators gilded the bronze with 
gold leaf. But the veneer was very thin ; soon the damp, 
the cold, the heat cracked the delicate frosting, and now 
it is all gone. To-day the gates stand forth clothed only 
in their simple splendor. And yet, behold the rich bronze 
is more beautiful in its simplicity than with its gilded 
veneer. The storms were kind to the gates, and removed 
what was meretricious and gaudy, and restored them to 
their native beauty. 

So men have painted portraits of Jesus; they have 
tried to paint the lily and gild refined gold, but we go 
back to the portraits of the gospels, and we find there a 
beauty of the Christ unsurpassed. What can we sav of 
Him? 

(1) His character was beautiful with holiness in every 
detail (Heb. vii:26). 

(2) His love was pure and faithful in all its affection 
(John xiiin). 

(3) His service was true and beneficent in all its work- 
ings (Acts x:38). 

(4) His words were tender and true in all their utterances 
(John vii:46). 

(5) His life was consistent in every department (Matt. 
xxvii:24; Acts 11:22). 

(6) His aim was single and concentrated in glorifying God 
(John xvii:4). 

(7) His mission was to benefit all who would have Him in 
dying a death which they deserved (2 Cor. viii :g) . 

Christ is Christianity, and the best evidence of Chris- 
tianity is Christ. 



234 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



4 Hie Best." 

"Out of all your gifts ye shall offer * * * the best" (Numbers 
xviii:2Q). 

Christ wants the best. He in the far-off ages 
Once claimed the firstling of the flock, the finest of the 
wheat, 

And still He asks His own with gentlest pleading 

To lay their highest hopes and brightest talents at His 
feet. 

He'll not forget the feeblest service, humblest love ; 
He only asks that of our store we give to Him 

The best we have. 
Christ gives the best. He takes the hearts we offer 

And fills them with His glorious beauty, joy and peace. 
And in His service, as we're growing stronger, 

The calls to grand achievements still increase. 

The richest gifts for us on earth or in the heaven above, 
Are hid in Christ. In Jesus we receive 

The best we have. 
And is our best too much? O friends, let us remember 

How once our Lord poured out His soul for us, 
And in the prime of His mysterious manhood 

Gave up His precious life upon the cross! 

The Lord of Lords, by Whom the worlds were made, 
Through bitter grief and tears gave us 
The best He had. 

Here are some Scriptural examples of those who gave 
their best to the Lord : 

(1) The Centurion honored Christ with His best con- 
fidence (Matt. viii:io). 

(2) Mary of Bethany gave Him her best love (John xii:3). 

(3) Peter gave Him his best confession (Matt. xvi:i6, 17). 

(4) Martha gave Him her best service (Luke x:38, 40). 



235 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

(5) John gave Him his best attention (John xix:26). 

(6) The women gave Him their best ministry (Luke viii :- 
3)- 

And the soldiers gave Him the best compliment (John 
vii 146). 

******** 

Our appreciation of Christ is guaged by what we give 
to Him. When He is the Best in our estimation, we 
estimate the best is what we can only give to Him. 



The Best Robe. 

"Bring forth the Best Robe" {Luke xv.22). 

Princess Czartoryski had a wonderful dress made 
in Paris, on which her coat of arms was produced in jew- 
els on a white satin ground. For this purpose the stones 
had to be pierced, and, though their value was thus de- 
teriorated, the costume when finished was reputed to be 
worth $75,000. 

The costliness and beauty of the above dress is nothing 
in comparison with the one of which the poet sings — 

"Jesu, Thy blood and righteousness 
My beauty are, my glorious dress." 

For this "Best Robe" of heaven is 

Provided by the God of Grace (Luke xv:22). 
Purchased by the blood of Christ (Rev. vii 114) . 
Personified in Christ Himself (1 Cor. i:3o). 
And it imparts its nature to those who wear it (Rom.^ 
xiii 114). 

******** 

The Best Robe of God's grace was made in the loom 
of Calvary's dark suffering. 



236 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



The Darkness. 

"He made darkness His secret place" (Ps. xviii'.n). 

''Challenge the darkness, whatso'er it be — 
Sorrow's thick darkness, or strange mystery 
Of prayer or providence! Persist, intent, 
And thou shalt find Love's veiled sacrament: 
Some secret revelation, sweetness, light, 
Waits to waylay the wrestler of the night. 
In the thick darkness, at its very heart, 
Christ meets, transfigured, souls He calls apart." 

(1) In the darkness of sorrow may be found the brightness 
of hope (i Thess. iv:i3-i8). 

(2) In the darkness of trial may be found the approbation 
of Love (1 Pet. 1:7). 

(3) In the darkness of persecution may be found the stay 
of the Divine Presence (2 Tim. iv:i6). 

(4) In the darkness of suffering may be found the suf- 
ficiency of grace (2 Cor. xii:9). 

(5) In the darkness of a sense of Hit withdrawal may 
be found the largeness of faith (Isa. l:io). 

(6) In the darkness of Gethsemane is found angelic min- 
istry (Luke xxii:43). 

And in the darkness of Calvary is a precursor of coming 
glory (Luke xxiv:26). 

Use your cross as a crutch to help you on, and not as 
a stumbling-block to cast you down. 

The Pact of Facts. 

"The Lord is * * * " (Ps. XCV.3). 
In an Episcopal Church, in Peoria, it is an Easter 
morning custom for the ushers to greet incoming mem- 
bers of the congregation with "The Lord is risen." An 
old lady who was deaf, and who had but recently united 
•with the Church, was met by Dr. Tyng with the saluta- 
tion. 



237 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

"What is it ?" she asked, pausing, and placing her hand 
to her ear. 

"The Lord is risen," repeated the doctor. 

"Oh, yes!" said the lady absently, as she moved on 
down the aisle. She was met by another usher, who gave 
her the same greeting. 

"What did you say ?" she demanded. 

"The Lord is risen," returned the usher. 

"Oh, yes, so Dr. Tyng tells me!" she remarked com- 
placently, as she entered a pew. 

The Lord has to continually remind His people that 
He is — 

(1) The Ready Helper— "The Lord is my Helper" (Heb. 
xiii :6). 

(2) The Gracious Provider — "The Lord is gracious" (1 
Pet. ii: 3 ). 

(3) The Faithful Keeper — "The Lord is faithful, who 
shall keep," &c. (2 Thess. iii 13 ) - 

(4) The Liberating Triend — "The Lord is that Spirit, 
and where .he Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" 
(2 Cor. i-i :i7). 

(5) The Certain Promiser — "The Lord is not slack con- 
cerning His promises" (2 Pet. iii :g). 

(6) The Unfailing Upholder — "The Lord is at hand" 
(Present— Phil. iv:5). 

(7) The Risen Redeemer — "The Lord is risen," &c. (Luke 
xxiv:34). 

******** 
What the Lord is, makes the saints what they are. 



The Gospel, a "Sea of Crystal.* 9 

"The Gospel * * * the power of God" (Rom. 1:16). 

George Fox, in writing of one of his experiences said, 
"I saw a sea of ink and a sea of crystal, and the sea of 
crystal swept away the sea of ink." 

238 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



The above quotation suggests what the Gospel of God's 
grace does in the lives of those who believe in Christ, 
for, as in the millennium, there will be an effective 
living water current which will wash out the Dead Sea, 
and make it a living stream (Ezk. xlvii) ; so the Gospel 
in the cleansing of the precious blood of Christ, re- 
moves the foulness of sin (i John 1:7). 

The water of life quenches the fire of unholy passion (John 
iv:i4). 

The love of Goa supplants the desire to sin (2 Cor. v:i4- 
17). 

The power of Christ conquers the dominance of evil (Rom. 
vi:i4). 

The holiness of the Lord electrifies to whole-hearted de- 
votion to Him (Phil. iv:i2, 13), and thus annuls the 
failure of self-effort. 

The presence of Christ destroys all fear of man or devil, 
For His grace is sufficient (2 Cor. xiiioj. 

And the coming of Christ drives all impurity away, for it 
is the soul's ambition, when looking for Him, to be ripe 
and ready, and thus to have His approval (1 John 
iii:2, 3). 

* * * * * * * 

"Mercy is 'from everlasting' to contrive thy salvation, 
and 'to everlasting' to perfect it." 



The Hands of Christ. 

"His hands" (Cant. v.14). 

"I do love this beautiful, white, and perfect hand ; but 
I dislike the other, ugly one," said a little girl as she took 
hold of the left hand of her mother, and pushed the right 
one, which was marred, crooked, and scarred and twisted. 
A look of pain was seen in the mother's face for a mo- 
ment, then she said, "Shall I tell my little girl a story?" 
"Yes, mamma, please." "One night when you were a 
baby I smelt fire, and as I hurried to where you were 
lying in your cot, I found your clothes alight. I tore 



239 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



them from you with my hand, but that hand was burnt as 
a result. The marred hand is an evidence of what I suf- 
fered for you." When the child had heard the story, she 
exclaimed, "Oh, forgive me, mamma, for calling the 
scarred hand ugly, I now think it is the more beautiful 
of the two." The hands of Christ are beautiful because 
they bear the marks of the nails of Calvary's tree. 

The hands of Christ are studded with the jewels of 
blessing, and they are so, because they were once nailed 
to the cross (Ps. xxii:i6). They were once gory with 
the blood of suffering, but they are now glorious with 
the blessings of salvation. He shows His hands to us 
(John xx:2o), let us view them and see what they can do. 

The hands of Christ are symbolical of His power ; 
hence, in speaking of the power of the Lord with John 
the Baptist, it says, "The hand of the Lord was with 
him" (Luke i:66). 

They are — 

(1) Strong to Save. — Peter found the hand of Christ 
strong to save, in response to his "Lord, save me" 
(Matt. xiv:30, 31). He can pluck out of hell's mouth, 
sin's power, Satan's grip, iniquity's pit, the flesh's in- 
fluence, self's pursuit, and the world's glamour. 

(2) Potent to Heal. — The touch of Christ's hand meant 
cleansing to the leper (Matt. viii:3). Christ can heal, 
by His touch of power, palsy's sloth, pride's fever, 
temper's fits, the heart's impurity, the mind's blindness, 
the knees' feebleness, and the ears' dulness. 

(3) Skilled to Open. — Christ's hands upon the eyes of 
the blind man meant sight to him (Mark viii:23). 
Christ alone can give the inner illumination which shall 
cause us to see the sinfulness f sin, the sufficiency 
of Christ's Atonement, the secrets of God's Word, 
and the splendor of His Person. 

(4) Sufficient to Supply. — "Thou openest Thy hand, they 
are filled with good" (Ps. civ 128). The statement is 
true, providentially, spiritually, and eternally. The good 
God saves by His good grace, to a good life, and for a 
good end. There is always more left after we have 
done taking — as is illustrated in the feeding of the five 
thousand — than there was before. Taking from God, 
enriches Him. 



24O 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

(5) Tender to Bless. — "Put His hands upon them" (Mark 
x:i6) are the words which describe Christ's action in 
relation to the children. Christ has the touch of the 
sympathetic friend, the loving mother, the kind father, 
the gracious brother, the thoughtful sister, the good 
Samaritan, and the gentle Jesus. 

(6) Strong to Uplift. — "He laid His hands on her, and 
immediately she was made straight" (Luke xiii 113) - 
The poor woman was bowed earthwards, and could not 
lift herself up — like many a believer in Christ, who 
has life from Christ, but who has not liberty through 
Him. 

(7) Mighty to Keep (John x:28). — None can snatch from 
the hand of Christ, because His hand is encircled by the 
hand of the Father. 

The ability and agility of Christ proclaim His power 
and willingness to bless. He meets the need of the 
times, and is always timely in His aid. 



The Lifting* Power. 

"The gospel is the power of God" (Rom. i:i6). 

It is said that once a skilled artisan in the employ 
of an Oriental king, had become almost useless at his 
daily tasks, his hand had lost its cunning, and the work 
was marred by constant failure. The king sent for him 
and asked him what had caused the surprising change. 

"Ah," he said, "it is my heart that makes my hand 
unsteady. I am under an awful cloud of calamity and 
discouragement. I am hopelessly in debt, and my fam- 
ily are to be sold as slaves. I can think of nothing else 
from morning to night, and as I try to polish the jewels, 
and cut the facets in the diamonds, my hand trembles, 
and my fingers forget their wonted skill." 

The king smiled and said: "Is that all? Your debt 



241 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



shall be paid, your family saved, and your cares dis- 
pelled. You may take the word of your king and go 
to work again with a free and fearless heart." That 
was done, and never was work so skillfully done, never 
were such carvings and cunning devices in precious gems 
as the hand of this happy artisan devised when set at lib- 
erty from his fears and burdens. 

The king's grace made a new man of the artisan. 

(1) The power of Christ's love will lift us above hate, 
and cause us to love Him (i John iv:io). 

(2) The power of Christ's joy will banish the bane of 
misery, and gladden us with its song (John xv:ii). 

(3) The power of Christ's peace will turn out carking care, 
and fill us with its own tranquillity (John xiv:27). 

(4) The power of Christ's grace will stiffen the muscles 
of our spiritual nature, and make us of sterling worth 
(2 Tim. ii:i). 

(5) The power of Chris fs presence will keep away all 
fear, and sustain us in every emergency (Isa. xli:io). 

(6) The power of Christ's armor will shield us in every 
assault of the enemy, as we are strong in Him (Eph. 
vi:io). 

(7) The power of Christ's beauty will entrance and satisfy 
that we shall not be attracted from Him (Song of 
Solomon v:i6). 

******** 
To deny self we need a greater power than self. 
Christ Himself is the only one who can dethrone and 
deny self. 

The Power of the Gospel. 

"The gospel of Christ * * * is the power of God unto salvation" 
{Rom. i:i6). 

Griffith John says "The great need of China to-day is 
vital religion, not a religion which men can make great 
but a religion which can make men great. The Chinese 

242 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



need a heavenly principle that shall infuse a new moral 
and spiritual life into the nation, a mighty power that 
shall transform them in their inmost being, a Divine 
inspiration that shall create within their breasts aspira- 
tions after holiness and immortality. In other words, 
what they need is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Apart 
from Christianity, I can see no hope for China. There 
is no power in the religious systems of China to develop 
a holy character, a true manhood. China cannot advance 
in the path of true progress without a complete change 
in the religious life of the nation. It is Christ alone who 
can lead in the glorious dawn of the Chinese Rennais- 
sance, the new birth of a mighty nation to liberty, and 
righteousness, and ever-expanding civilization. Feeling 
this to be true in our heart of hearts, we, the mission- 
aries, have come to China to preach Christ, unto some 
a stumbling block, unto others foolishness ; but, unto 
them that are called Christ the power of God, and the 
wisdom of God. 
The gospel has 

Power to quicken those dead in sins (i Cor. iv:l5). 

Power to enlighten the mind darkened by unbelief (n Cor. 
iv:4). 

Power to save from the thraldom of iniquity (Eph. 1:13). 

Power to protect against the assaults of the enemy (Eph. 
vi:i5). 

Power to brighten the future, so that the horizon is lit up 
with coming glory (Col. 1:2$). 

Power to bless the saint in the necessity of his experience 
(Rom. xv:2oj. 

Power to unite believers in fellowship with Christ (Eph. 
iii:6). 



There is no need of man, the nature of God cannot 
meet. 



243 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



The Spread Table. 

"Thou preparest a table before me'' (Ps. xxiii'S)- 

Two poor boys, who had never been in the country, 
and knew nothing of the sweetness of its air, were sent 
into the most country of country places. There was 
plenty of food. They found there was meat for break- 
fast. They were surprised, as they , had not been accus- 
tomed to such a luxury. They did their duty, and went 
out to play. At dinner time there was hot meat, and, 
what was more astonishing, when they went to supper 
there was meat again. Meat three times a day was some- 
thing they had never dreamt of. When they went to 
bed that night the little one said to his brother, "]im, if 
they set that table again in the middle of the night, don't 
you forget to call me." 

The Lord always meets the need of His people in a 
most ample and satisfying manner. He gives us 

(1) The fatted calf of His provision to satisfy us (Luke 
xv:23). 

(2) The whole lamb of His love to bless us (Exodus 
xii:8; 1 Cor. v:7). 

(3) The manna of His grace to strengthen us (Deut. 
viii :3 ; John vi:5i). 

(4) The milk of His Word to nourish us (1 Pet. ii:2). 

(5) The wine of His joy to gladden us (Ps. civns). 

(6) The honey of His promises to nerve us (Ps. xixrio; 
Isa. vii:i5). 

And (7) With the fruit of His blessings He assures us 
(Numbers xiii 123, 24; Eph. 1:13, 14). 

There are two main feeders to the sustenance of the 
spiritual life, and these are, meditation in the truth, in 
order to understand it, and application of the truth, so 
that we may practice it. 



244 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Threefold Nature of Man, 



"Spirit, soul, and body" (i Thess. v.2z). 
Every man lives in a three-story house. The lower 
story is the part underground. There he eats and drinks. 
This is his physical nature. Many men never leave the 
basement. There they live, and there they die, never 
entering the stories that lie above. The second rises 
above the first. From its windows the outlook is wider, 
the light in it is more abundant, and the air purer. This 
is man's intellectual department. Some go up into the 
second story often, and, though they do not abandon the 
basement, they use it mostly only for eating. Then there 
is the third story. This is the highest. Here the air, the 
sunlight, the outlook are at their best. This is the spiri- 
tual realm. Few rise into it. In too many cases dust 
and cobwebs are the sole occupants of what should be 
the choicest part of the house. The wise man, while he 
does not abandon the basement or the second story, loves 
the third story best of all, and there spends much of his 
time. The contrast between the three parts of man's 
nature is seen in the following: 

Spirit Soul 
Created and made. "Breathed" 
Job xxxiii .-4 Gen. ii 17. 

Image and Like- Distinct from Ani- 
ness of God. mal. 

Gen. i .-27. Gen. ii :J. 

Links man with Indentifies man 

God. with Beast. 

Num. xvi:22. Gen. ix:i5, 16. 

Indestructible. Destructible. 

Heb. xii:9. Rev. xii:ii. 



Consciousness of 
being. 

1 Cor. ii:ii. 
Intellectual 

1 Cor. ii:ii. 



Life as lived. 
Matt. xvi:25, 26. 

Emotional 

Col. iii 123. 



Body 
"Formed" 

Gen. 1L7. 

Moulded after the 
form of the spirit. 
Is a. lxiv :8. 

Associates man with 
the earth. 
Gen. iii: 19. 

Returns to original 
dust. 

Eccle. xii :j. 
Medium of action.. 
2 Cor. v:io. 



Instrumental. 
Rom. vi:i2, 



13. 



245 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Spirit 

Exists apart from 
the body. 
Eccle. xii:7. 

Sin has deathized. 
Eph. nil. 



Sour* 

Exists with the 
blood and unites 
spirit and body. 
Lev. xvii:ii r. v. 
Sin has selfized. 
Jude 19. 



BODY 

Dead without the 
soul and spirit. 
Jas. ii:26. 



Sin 



has possessed. 
Rom. vi:6. 



God the Father speaks of His soul delighting in Christ 
for us (Matt. xii:i8) ; the Holy Spirit is the Lord within 
us (Rom. viiiio,) ; and Christ assumed a body as one with 
us (Heb. x:5). 



Thoroughness. 

"Observe to do * * * air (Joshua 1:7, 8). 

"The secret of his career/' says one, in writing about 
Lord Curzon, "apart from his brilliant abilities, is that 
he devoted himself wholly and entirely to politics from 
his earliest youth. When he was but a stripling, he was 
making journeys all over Asia; sometimes risking his 
life — always risking his somewhat poor health — pene- 
trating to remote and perilous spots where mighty em- 
pires approach each other's frontiers, and look across the 
boundary with suspicion, and fright, and defiance. He 
was writing big books on Persia, Corea, the problems of 
the East, when most young men of his age were falling 
in and out of love, or playing polo or cricket, or taking 
what Carlyle calls 'mud-baths of vice/ And the result 
is that his career has been glorious ; and may end in being 
still more illustrious." 

The soul of success in anything is thoroughness. 

(1) Paul expresses it when he says: "This one thing I do" 
(Phil. iii:i3). 

(2) The Psalmist emphasizes it, in his "my soul followeth 
hard after Thee" (Ps. lxiii:8). 



246 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

(3) God typifies it in the whole burnt-offering (Lev. 1:1-9; 
Rom. xii:i). 

(4) The Holy Spirit demands it, in His "come out, and be 
ye separate" (2 Cor. vi:i7). 

(5) Christ enforces it in His three-fold condition of dis- 
cipleship (Luke xiv 126, 27, 33). 

(6) The apostle declares it in proclaiming what the Lord 
desires and promises (1 Thess. v.23, 24). 

(7) And the end Christ had in dying for us was that we 
should be thorough, namely, dead to sin, and alive to 
righteousness (1 Pet. ii 124) ; yea, to God Himself (Rom. 
vi:il). 

If we would talk correctly in the Christian life, then 
we must walk circumspectly in Christ-like behavior. 



Traits of the Word. 

"Let the Word of Christ dwell in you" {Col iii:i6). 
"It is told of the widow of Schumann, the musical 
composer, that whenever she was going to play any of 
her husband's music in public, she would read over some 
of his old letters to her, written in the lover days. Thus, 
she said, his very life seemed to fill and possess her, and 
she was better able then to interpret his work. If we will 
read over Christ's Words of love to us until His life 
enters into us, and His Spirit breathes into our lives, then 
we can be brave and strong in resisting evil and doing 
His will." The following seven traits of God's Word 
are illustrated by seven incidents in Christ's life: 

(1) It is a Forgiving Word (1 John ii:i2), as seen in 
Christ's "Thy sins be forgiven" to the woman (Luke 
vii 148) . 

(2) It is a Joy-giving Word (Jer. xv:i6), as heard in 
Christ's "Be of good cheer" to the woman with the 
issue of blood (Matt. ix:22, r. v.). 

(3) It is a Feeding Word (1 Pet. ii:2), as illustrated in 
Christ's direction regard" the Ruler's daughter. He 
"commanded that something should be given her to 
eat" (Mark v:43). 

247 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

(4) It is a Living Word (Heb. iv.12), as evidenced in 
Christ's ''Lazarus come forth" (John xi:43). 

(5) It is a Powerful Word (Heb. iv:i2), as shown in 
Christ commanding the demons to "come out" from 
the possessed man (Luke viii:29). 

(6) It is a Peaceful Word (Ps. cxix:i6s), as demonstrated 
in His "Peace be still" to the sea (Mark iv:39). 

(7) It is a Reviewing Word (Ps. cxix:25), as brought out 
in Christ's dealings with Peter (John xxi:i5-i9). 

* & .• ♦ .'ifs $z , £ :js £ 

To judge God's Word is to evidence our folly, but to 
let God's Word judge us is to demonstrate our wisdom. 



Transferred. 

"Passed from death to life" (John v.24). 

Two soldiers, remarking upon the death of a comrade, 
said: "There's another poor fellow got his discharge.'' 
"Not that." "Well, if not discharged. I'd like to know 
what he is?"' ''"'Only transferred." "Transferred where?'" 
"To another department." "What for?" ''For duty." 
''What duty?" "Don't know; that depends on what he 
is fit for." 

There is a threefold transference which every believer 
undergoes. 

He is transferred from Satan's realm by being translated 

into the kingdom of God's dear Son (Col. 1:13). 
He is transferred from selfishness to Christlikeness by 

being transfigured into His image (2 Cor. iii:i8, k. v.). 
And he is transferred into the Lord's presence by being 

transformed to be like Him and with Him (Heb. xi :5 ; 

Phil. iii:2i). 

It is not the elevation of place, nor the pride of race, 
nor the beauty of face, but the calling of grace which 

makes the man. 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Turned and Met. 

"Turn again to the Lord." "He will turn again" (Lam. iii-.^o; 
Micah vii :ig). 

A writer on gardening says: "A garden I saw re- 
cently had a few striking flowers in it, with a hellebore- 
like leaf and a lily-like head of large buds that nodded 
across the path at one another from bare stems about 
three feet higher than the foliage. On inquiring what 
they were called, I was informed, with an apologetic 
smile, that the only name the cottager knew them by was 
"turn-again-gentleman." Immediately, up came the fancy 
that this was a true cottage plant evolved by the gar- 
dener who really loves his work, because it is so small 
and so near to him, and that it had proved so great a 
success that even the passing gentleman turned to look 
again at it. I do not know whether the flower may not 
be common in some districts, but I strongly enjoined the 
old woman not to let ifc die out in her own garden. In 
spite of appearances, I daresay she is proud of it, and 
will see to its welfare." 

The name of the flower suggested a number of pas- 
sages of Scripture, where the words "turn again" occur: 
The following thoughts are found therewith : 

(1) The Intercessor's Plea — "When Thy people * * * 
turn again to Thee * * * then hear" (i Kings viii :33, 
34). 

(2) The Servant's Orders — "Charged * * * by the word 
of the Lord * * * not to turn again" (1 Kings xiii:o). 

(3) The King's Decree — "Turn again unto the Lord God" 
(2 Chron. xxx:6). 

(4) The Lord's Blessing — "If ye turn again * * * the 
Lord * * * will not turn His face from you" (11 
Chron. xxx:c?). 

(5) The Backslider's Prayer — "Turn us again, O God" 
(Ps. lxxx:3, 7, 19). 



249 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

(6) The Prophet's Revelation — "Turn ye yet again, and 
thou shalt see" (Ezk. viii:6). 

(7) The Lord's Compassion — "He will turn again,'* &c. 
(Micah vii:i9). 

******** 

The frequent coming to the throne of grace is the way 
to becoming like Him Who sits on it. 



"Twinkler, Tinkler, Tattler." 

"Walk in the light" (1 John i:?); "Be vigilant" (1 Pet. v:S); 
"Pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. v:i7)- 

"There are three things the prudent householder should 
keep as a protection against burglars — a 'twinkler/ or a 
light, burning not always at the same window ; a 'tinkler,' 
or bell attached to the window ; and a 'tattler/ or a small 
dog." 

The above reminds the believer of the fact there are 
three things; which he should have, to prevent the great 
enemy (2 Cor. ii:ii) getting an advantage, and these are, 

The light of a consistent life, as fed by the oil of the Holy 
Spirit's indwelling presence and operation (Gal. v 125, 
jr. v.). 

The bell of a vigilant watch, so as to be apprized of the 
thief's approach (1 Pet. v:8). 

And the voice of believing prayer, so that the Lord's inter- 
vention may be had, to the routing of the enemy (Neh., 
iv:o). 

If we walk worthily, pray fervently and watch dili- 
gently, Satan will not break into the house of our being. 

250 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Unanimous. 

"Stand fast in one spirit" (Phil. 1:27). 

George MacDonald, in one of his books, tells of two 
children who prayed the following prayer: "O Lord, 
tell Sandy and me what to ask for. We're unanimous." 
They got up from their knees. They had said what they 
had to say ; why say more ? 

Would that all Christians could be unanimous. If only 
the following unanimity could be manifested, what power 
there would be, namely : 

Agreement in prayer (Matt. xviii:io). 
Oneness in love for each other (John xiii :3s ) . 
One accordness in waiting for the Spirit's power (Acts 
i:i4). 

Mutual interest in caring for each other (Acts iv:32). 

Helping each other in service (Luke v:7). 

Bearing each other's burdens (Gal. vi:2). 

And thinking of others as better than ourselves (Phil. 11:3). 

When we symphonize with God's will, we shall agree 
with all who are in sympathy with Him. 



Unity. 

"Look * * * on the things of others" (Phil. H'a). 
A well-known Ohio judge was noted for his defense 
of slavery. He was converted from the error of his ways 
by the following conversation with a runaway slave, who 
had crossed the Ohio River from Kentucky: 

Judge : "What did you run away for ?" 
Fugitive: "Well, judge, wanted to be free." 
"Oh! Wanted to be free, did you? Bad master, I 
suppose ?" 

"Oh, no; berry good man, massa." 
"You had to work too hard, then?" 
"Oh, no ; fair day's work." 
"Well, you hadn't a good home?" 

251 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



"Hadn't I, though! You should see my pretty cabin 
in Kentucky!" 

"Well, you didn't get enough to eat ?" 

"Oh, golly! Not get enough to eat in Kentucky! 
Plenty to eat." 

"You had a good master, plenty to eat, were not over- 
worked, a good home — I don't see what you wanted to 
run away for." 

"Well, judge, / left de situation down dar open. You 
can just go down and git it." 

Christians will find it a healthy exercise to place them- 
selves in the position of others before they pass judgment 
on them. The <{ one anothers" of the Epistle to the Ro- 
mans will help to this end among Christians — to keep 
from wrong-doing on the one hand (Rom. xiv:i3), and 
help to the right on the other hand (Rom. xv:5). 

Unity of place — "Members one of another" (Rom. xii:5). 
Unity in affection — "Kindly affectioned one to another" 
(xii:io). 

Unity of thought — "Same mind one to another" Cxii:i6). 
Unity of love — "Love one another" (xiii:8). 
Unity in edifying — "Edify one another" (xiv:i9). 
Unity in courtesy — "Receive one another" (xv:7). 
Unity in concern — "Admonish one another" (xv:i4). 
******** 

Christ is not ashamed to call us brethren, therefore we 
should not be ashamed to own all whom He owns as 
Lord. 

immovable Thing's. 

"We receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved" (Heb. xii :28) . 

Humboldt's description of the first earthquake he saw, 
is significant, because of the question he was led to ask. 
When he beheld the rivers overflowing, the earth shaking, 
the houses tumbling, the mountains rocking, and heard the 
animals howling, and the birds wailing, he said : "Is there 
nothing solid?" As he asked the question, he looked up to 
heaven, and there he got his answer, as he himself said : 
"I looked up to heaven, and all was still there." 

252 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Those who are in the immovable kingdom of God's 
grace find there is a solidity, and stability, beyond human 
ken. What are the reasons of our immovability? 

(1) Because we are in the Immovable One — "He is my 
Defense. I shall not be moved" (Ps. lxii :6) . 

(2) Because the Lord is beside us — "He is at my right 
hand, I shall not be moved" (Ps. xvi:8). 

(3) Because we deal graciously with others — "Well is it 
with the man that dealeth graciously * * * he shall 
never be moved" (Ps. cxii:6, r. v.). 

(4) Because of the Lord's keeping — "He will not suffer 
thy foot to be moved" (Ps. cxxi:3). 

(5) Because of the Lord's promise — "I will ordain a place 
for My people Israel * * * and they * * * shall 
be moved no more" (1 Chron. xvii:9). 

(6) Because of the character of the believer — "The root 
of the righteous shall not be moved" (Prov. xii:3). 

(7) Because of our dependence upon the Lord in trustful 
prayer and "obedience" — "Hold up my goings in Thy 
paths, that my footsteps be not moved" (margin, Ps. 
xvii:5); or, as the Revised Version — "My steps have 
held fast to Thy paths, my feet have not slipped." 

4c 4s 3|c 4e 3|c 4s 

If there were more "Amens" in our lives, there would 
be more "Hallelujahs." 



V. B. 

"Very attentive to hear Him" (l>uke 4^:48). 

The Publishers' Circular says, "We wonder if second- 
hand booksellers are aware that many people construe the 
letters V. D. after the price of a book to mean very dear 
as well as very dry. There is often considerable excuse 
for the error." We shall never find the Book of books 
"very dry" if we ponder it carefully and prayerfully, but 
we shall find as we listen to the Lord as He speaks to us 
therein, that 



253 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

(1) His "thoughts are very deep,'' for they are a deep 
which cannot be fathomed (Ps. xcii:5). 

(2) His "testimonies are very sure/' for they are an im- 
pregnable rock (Ps. xciii:5). 

(3) His testimonies are "very faithful,' 9 for they speak of 
the faithful God (Ps. cxix:i38). 

(4) His "Word is very pure," even as refined gold (Ps. 
cxix 1140). 

(5) His "Word runneth very swiftly," for the Lord is 
never behind in His messages (Ps. cxlvii:i5). 

(6) His Word is "very nigh/' therefore there is no need 
to seek for it (Deut. xxx:i4); 

(7) And we are responsible because the Word is what it 
is, to write it in our testimony "very plainly" (Deut. 
xxvii :8). 

******** 

The Word of God's grace conveys to those who receive 
it in faith, the grace of God's Word. What the wire is 
to the power-house and the lamp, the Word is to the be- 
liever. It puts us in touch with the supply of the power. 

Waiting and Watching for Christ's 
Return. 

"We wait for the Saviour" (Phil, ii'r.20). 

It was the soul-saving and soul-satisfying truth of 
Christ's death, which made the friends put upon the 
tombstone of Matthew and Ann Gibbons, in Bakewell - 
Churchyard, Derbyshire, England, as an expression of 
their faith and hope in Christ, and made each say as for % 
himself and herself — 

"When from the dust of death I rise, 
To take my mansion in the skies, 
E'en then — shall this be all my plea, 
Jesus hath liv'd and died for me." 



254 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Something similar may be found upon a stone in a 
churchyard in Matlock, at the head of the graves of John 
and Ann Cotherill: 

"Life is uncertain, 
Death is sure, 
Sin is the wound, 
Christ is the Cure." 

There is no doubt of the sureness of sin's wound, for 
all have sinned, nor can we dispute the fact that life is 
uncertain, nor do we desire to minimize the truth that 
"Christ is the Cure" for sin's wound, but we do contra- 
dict the statement that "Death is sure." Death is never 
set before the believer in Christ as something which is 
certain. The certain thing is the coming of the Lord 
Jesus Christ for His own (John xiv.*3), for this we 
should 

"Look" (Heb. ix:28). 
"Wait" (i Thess. i:io). 
"Watch" (Mark xiii 137) . 
Desire (Cant. viii:i4). 
Pray (Rev. xxii:2o). 
Work (2 Pet. 111:12), and 
"Love" (2 Tim. iv:8). 

Hope goes up the stairs which Love has made, and 
looks out of the window which Faith has opened. 



Wakefulness of Jehovah. 

"Behold He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep" 
(Ps. exxwz-^) 

A little four-year-old inquired of her widowed mother 
one moonlight night: 

"Mamma, is the moon God's light?" 

The lamp had just been put out, and the timid little 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

girl was afraid of the dark; but presently she saw the 
bright moon out of her window, and it suggested the 
question, "Is the moon God's light?" 

"Yes, Ethel," replied the mother. "His lights are 
always burning." 

Then came the next question from the little girl : 

"Will God blow out His light and go to sleep, too ?" 

"No, my child," replied the mother; "His lights are 
always burning." 

Then the timid little girl gave utterance to a sentiment 
which thrilled the mother's heart with trust in her God: 

"Well, mamma, while God's awake I am not afraid." 

One of the most assuring and comforting statements 
of God's Word is where it is stated, "He that keepeth 
thee will not slumber ;" and then, as if to make His word 
of cheer the more cheering, it goes on to say, "Behold, 
He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep" 
(Ps. cxxi:3, 4). 

(1) The Lord is awake to assist in distress, as He did the 
disciples in the storm (Matt. xiv:27). 

(2) He is awake to assure us in perplexity, as He did the 
disciples when filled with fear (Luke viii:22-25). 

(3) He is awake to assuage our grief in sorrow, as He 
did the widow of Nain (Luke vii:i3). 

(4) He is awake to attend us as we journey through life, 
as He did the two disicples as they went to Emma us 
(Luke xxiv:i5). 

(5) He is awake to admonish us when we are growing cold, 
as He did the Church in Ephesus (Rev. ii 14, 5). 

(6) He is awake to adjust us in the inner life, as He did 
the Apostle Peter, when He appeared to him (Luke 
xxiv:34). 

(7) And He is awake to accept us, should we fall asleep 
before He comes, as He did His faithful servant Stephen 
(Acts vii:56). 

******** 

God has a hand to help us, a heart to love us, and a 
hearth to warm us. 

256 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Want of Knowledge. 

"Israel doth not know" (Isa. 1:3). 

When the Prince of Wales was only the Duke of York, 
he was speaking on one occasion in the interests of the 
Royal Caledonian Asylum for the benefit of Scotch child- 
ren. He related the following anecdote, which he said 
illustrated the pleasing fact that some Highlanders recog- 
nized London as an asylum for their countrymen : 

A Highlander, on paying his maiden visit, met a fellow- 
townsman in the street, who had been resident only a 
short time, and inquired of him, "Mon, can you tell me 
where I shall find the Caledonian Asylum?" The other 
immediately replied, "Why, mon, y're in it." 

The reply was not correct in one sense, and yet it may 
be taken to illustrate that many believers are ignorant of 
the fact that they are in the realm of all spiritual blessing, 
and therefore are shut out of blessing by their want of 
knowledge. For instance, how many times the Holy 
Spirit has to use the expression, "Know ye not." 

In the following Scriptures we may gather the baneful 

effects of not knowing. 
To be ignorant of our oneness with Christ is to miss its 

power and blessing (Rom. vi:3). 
To be ignorant of the consequence of yielding to sin is to 

lay ourselves open to its power (Rom. vi:i6). 
To be ignorant of the fact that our bodies are the temples 

of the Holy Spirit is to miss the safeguard that comes 

from recognizing His presence (1 Cor. iii:i6; vi:i9). 
To be ignorant of the evil of leaven's working is to permit 

its contaminating presence to remain unjudged (1 Cor. 

v:6); 

To be ignorant of our future destiny and dignity is to 
make us act in an unbecoming manner to those who 
are the Lord's erring children (1 Cor. vi:2, 3). 

And to be ignorant of our union with Christ is to miss 
the inspiration of His grace, and the separation to Him- 
self, which is the practical outcome of it (1 Cor. vi:i5). 

$ jje :|: jjc jjs * % % 

Not to know is not to trust, for they who know the 
name of the Lord, trust in the Lord of the name. 



257 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Watchfulness of the Lord. 

"The Eyes of the Lord" (2 Chron. xm:g). 

We have seldom seen the idea of perfect trust better 
illustrated than in the following touching incident of a 
little daughter's trust in her father. They were travelling 
together, and in order to reach their home it was neces- 
sary for them to travel all night. When it became too 
dark for them to look out of the windows, and the lamps 
were lighted inside, the father laid aside the little girl's 
hat, and spreading out cloaks and shawls, said, "Now we 
will rest." But a little troubled face peered out upon the 
strange scene, a mist was gathering in those blue eyes, 
and the cheery tone of voice changed to a very plaintive 
one as she asked, "Father, how can we go to bed here?" 

"This is your bed, darling," he said, drawing her to his 
heart, "and a warm one you will always find it." And 
then he tucked her in so carefully, that in place of what 
had been a little girl, there seemed only a great bundle 
of shawls. 

But every now and then there was a movement inside 
the bundle, and a voice would say, "Oh, father, I am 
afraid to go to sleep here !" Then the father reminded 
her that he was taking care of her, and would do so all 
night. So at last, soothed by this assurance and worn out 
by unwonted fatigue she fell asleep. When she opened 
her eyes again, after what seemed to her only a few min- 
utes, the sun was shining brightly. The train stopped, 
and there just in sight was her own dear home. She 
could even see her dear mother standing in the open 
door, with arms outstretched to welcome back her loved 
ones. After the kisses were over, the mother asked, 
"And so my little girl has been travelling all night? Did 
she find it a long and weary time ?" 

"Oh, no, mother, not at all. I had such a good sleep, 
and father watched over me all night. Only think of it ! 
All night, mother, he watched over me. At first I was 
afraid to go to sleep in that strange place, but he told me 

258 



PEARLS, POINTS AXD PARABLES. 



to lean against him, and shut my eyes, and rest easily, for 
he would stay awake and take care of me. So I crept 
close to him, and, before I knew it, I was really and truly 
sound asleep ; and dear father stayed awake and took care 
of me all night. How I do love him for it !" Then the 
mother with the love-light beaming from her eyes, told 
her child of that heavenly Father Who watches over each 
of His children, not only one but even- night of their 
lives. 

The Lord is continually watching His people and look- 
ing after their interests. He has 

(1) Appreciative eyes to care (Deut. xi:i2). 

(2) Quick eyes to help (2 Chron. xyLq). 

(3) Testing eyes to search (Ps. xi:4). 

(4) Responsive eyes to answer (Ps. xxxiv:i5). 

(5) Omniscient eyes to discern (Prov. xv:3). 

(6) Preserving eyes to keep ( Prov. xxii:i2). 
And (7) Guiding eyes to direct (Ps. xxxii:8). 

%-%*%.%.-*.1ii1f. 

The eyes of the Lord's regard are watching us, that we 
may regard Him to our comfort. When the look of our 
faith meets the look of His love, there is communion. 



Wind, an Emblem of the Spirit. 

"The wind bloweth where it listeth" (John iii:8). 

Rotherham's translation is to be preferred to the above. 
It is, ''The Spirit, where it pleaseth, doth breathe." 

"Dey jeeted me on der vindmill," complained Big 
George, the German. 

"What's the mattter now, George?" inquired a com- 
panion. 

"Oh, no-ding," smiled George. 

"But you were saying when I came in that some one 
cheated you on a windmill." 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



"Veil, dey did. I go up to my ranch by Sonoma County 
to see der new machine if it vork, and dree days I go up 
dere alreaty and it don't vork, and I von't bay for it ; it 
ain't goot." 

"But how do you know it isn't a good one?" 
"Veil, didn't I sday dere two hours dree days in der hot 
sun and fan myself all der time and vatch it and it nefer 

moved ?" 

"Maybe there was no breeze, George." 

"Of course der was no breeze. Vould I fan myself if 
dere vas a vind?" 

With many of the saints, their experience is like the 
windmill ; there is no move. A saint without the Spirit is 
as helpless as a windmill without the wind. The saint 
may have the "mill" of a past experience, and the "wind" 
of a name-association with the Spirit, but what is the use 
of the name "windmill" if there is only the "mill" without 
the "wind" ? A windmill is a mill for the wind to move, 
and sorry a mill it is without the wind to move it. And 
a sorrier saint is he, who is not moved by the Spirit. 

There are three things suggested by the Saviour's 
words about the Spirit: (i) His personality, for He is 
"The Spirit;" (2) His Sovereignty, for He goes "where 
it pleaseth;" and (3) His Vitality, for He "doth breathe." 

(1) His Personality — "The Spirit." 

What constitutes personality? Intelligence, independence, 
power, and character. The Spirit is holy in 
nature, for He is called "the Holy Spirit" (Acts 
i:5), and what He produces is holy (Luke L35), 
and the evidence of His presence is likeness to Himself 
(1 John iii :g), even as the die pressed on the soft wax, 
leaves its impression (Eph. L13; iv:3o). The Spirit is 
powerful in action. Christ's resurrection from the dead 
is proof of this (Rom. viiim), and so is the sinner's 
quickening from the death of sin (Eph. 1:19; ii:i). 
The Spirit is independent of help, for He is the Spirit 
of God (1 Pet. iv:i4) ; and as God, the Spirit is omnipo- 
tent in power ; and He is intelligent in mind, for He is 
the Author of inspiration (1 Cor. ii:ii), and the En- 
lightener of the believer's intelligence (Eph. 1:17, 18). 

260 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



(2) His Sovereignty — "Where it pleaseth." The word 
"Thelo," rendered "listeth" in the A. V., signifies to 
will, and is rendered "will" in Mark i 141 ; "disposed" 
in 1 Cor. x:27, "pleased" in 1 Cor. xii:i8, "desire" in 
Gal. iv :20, and "intending" in Luke xiv 128. Twice in 
I Cor. xii the sovereignty of the Spirit is emphasized, in 
speaking of the place which He gives the members in 
the mystical body of Christ, for they are there as it 
"hath pleased Him," and He gives the gifts of His 
ministry to each member "severally as He will." We 
have no right to His grace. Those who have received 
spiritual life have got it because of "His own will begat 
He us with the Word of truth" (Jas. i : 18) , and the 
secret of an effectual salvation is to allow Him "to 
will and to do of His good pleasure" (Phil, ii : 13 ) . The 
sovereignty of God is not an arbitrary fiat which rides 
roughshod over us, but is an exclusive power which 
alone can bless us. It is not of him that willeth or 
runneth, but God that sheweth mercy, who is the cause 
of our blessing (Rom. ix:i6). He none the less is 
willing to bless those who will be blessed, although their 
will to bless is not the cause, but God who is willing to 
bless. 

(3) ) His Vitality — "Doth breathe." On the day of Pente- 
cost the Spirit in His power came as a "rushing, mighty 
wind" (Acts ii:2). The word "wind" is rendered 
"breath" in Acts xvii:25. As the Lord gives "to all 
life and breath" in a natural sense, so He gives spiritual 
life and impetus (John xx:22). 

******** 

The virtue of a holy life, the vim of active service, the 
virility of an ardent love, the voice of earnest prayer, the 
vivacity of a conforming faith, the victory of a continuous 
triumph, the vigilance of a watchful outlook, the vigor of 
spiritual growth, the volition of a better part, and the 
vivaciousness of a satisfying joy, are all from the 
vitalization of the vitalizing Spirit. 

Witness Bearing*. 

"Ye are my witness" (Isaiah xliii :io). 

A little girl, who had decided for Christ, and was 
happy in His love in consequence, was singing in her 
home, when her father severely rebuked her, and said 

261 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



she was not "to make that row again." The child prom- 
ised obedience, but, quite unconsciously, was singing 
again a short time after the father's injunction, where- 
upon her father said to her, "I thought I told you not to 
make that row again?" 

The child replied, "Feyther, it sings itsel'. I canna' 
help it." 

This is always true in relation to the child of God. 
The life and joy of Christ, when they are in the life, 
cannot be hid. They will express themselves some way. 
They do not express themselves in the same way in all, 
any more than the life in the floral kingdom does, but 
where the Christ is within, He will be manifest without. 

(1) As the lame man at the Beautiful Gate expressed his 
wholeness by his walking and leaping (Acts iii:8), so 
the believer evidences his salvation by walking in new- 
ness of life (Rom. vi:4). 

(2) As the woman of Samaria bore testimony to Christ's 
convicting grace when she said, "Come, see a man who 
told me all things that ever I did, is not this the Christ?" 
(John iv:2Cj), so those who have come in contact with 
Christ know the evil of sin, and say, "I know that in 
me dwelleth no good thing" (Rom. vii:i8). 

(3) As Bartimseus showed he had received sight from 
Christ by following Him in the way (Mark x:52), so 
those whose spiritual eyes have been opened obey the 
Lord's command, "Follow Me" (John 1:43). 

(4) As the eunuch testified to his being justified by Christ 
by his joy in Him (Acts viii:39), so those who are 
justified by grace "joy in God" (Rom. v:ii). 

(5) As the two spies who came back from the land of 
Canaan, laden with fruit, demonstrated where they had 
been (Num. xiii:23), so those whose lives are full of 
the fruit of the Spirit tell beyond all dispute that the 
Spirit has His home in them (Gal. v:22-25). 

(6) As the Thessalonians, by their turning to God, were 
able to turn from their idols and serve Him (1 Thess. 
1:9), so those who have come to Christ receive power 
from Him to do the will of God (Acts i:8). 

262 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

(7) As David said of Goliath's sword, "There is none like 
it" (1 Sam. xxi:9), so the soldier of Christ can bear 
his testimony to the effectiveness of the Spirit's sword — • 
"the Word of God" (Eph. vi:i7). 

* * * »* * * 4 s ♦ 

True witnessing means the correspondence of the talk 
€>f the lips with the walk of the life. 



Word of God, a light. 

"Thy Word * * * is a Light" (Ps. cxix :io$). 

"I remember," says one, "being shown a beautiful 
collection of moths some time ago, and I said to the boy 
who owned the collection, 'However did you catch them ?' 
He said, 'Why, with a light, of course/ He went out at 
night with a butterfly net, put a light just behind it, and 
the moths flew straight into the net. That is the way 
to catch people — with the light of God's truth." 

The Acts of the Apostles illustrates in a striking man- 
ner the attractiveness of God's Word. 

The "five thousand" after Pentecost (iv:4). 
The cause of the revival in Samaria (viii 114). 
The means of the Ethiopian eunuch's conversion (viii 135) . 
The medium of instruction to the Philippian jailer (xvi:32). 
The subject matter of every true ministry, as Paul illustrates 
(xviii:ii). 

The expeller of evil, as is seen in the power of the Gospel 
at Ephesus (xix:i9, 20) ; 

And the builder up of the Christian life (xx:32) are ex- 
amples. 

******** 

To have the Word of Life in our minds is good; to 
have the life of the Word in our hearts is better; but 
to have the life of the Word in living characters in the 
life is best. 



263 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Word of God: Ground of Assurance. 

"The Lord said unto him, surely, etc." {Judges vi:i6). 
The son of a chieftain of the Macgregors, was killed 
in a scuffle at an inn on the Moors of Glenorchy, by a 
young gentleman, named Lamont. The manslayer 
mounted his horse and fled, and though sharply pur- 
sued, in the darkness of the night he succeeded in reach- 
ing a house. It happened to be the house of Macgregor 
himself. ''Save my life!" cried Lamont to the chieftain; 
"men are after me to take it away." "Whoever you are," 
replied Macgregor, "while you are under my roof you 
are safe." Very soon the pursuers arrived, and thundered 
at the gate. "Has a stranger just entered your house?" 
"He has; and what may be your business with him?" 
"The man has killed your son! Give him up to our 
vengeance." The terrible news filled the house with 
lamentation; but the chief, with streaming tears, said: 
"No ; you cannot have the youth, for he has Macgregor's 
word for his safety, and, as God lives, while he is in my 
house he shall stay secure." This story has been told 
for centuries to illustrate Highland honor. What shall 
we say of the older story, that illustrates Divine love? 
To Jew and Gentile, high and low, rich and poor, friend 
and enemy, the grace of Christ is free, and His Word 
is sure. 

The following "I have's" are some of God's assur- 
ances, and His Word cannot be broken. 

(1) Pardoned — "I have blotted out" (l'sa. xliv:22). 

(2) Redeemed — "1 have redeemed" (Isa. xliiin; xliv:22). 

(3) Protected — "I have covered" (Isa. Ii:i6). 

(4) Chosen — "I have chosen" (Isa. xliv:i). 

(5) Endowed — "I have put My Spirit upon" (Isa. xliiri). 

(6) Regarded — "I have seen * * * / have heard" (Isa. s 
xxxviii :s). 

(7) Loved — "I have loved" (Isa. xliii 14) . 

If we meditate in God's Word continually, we shall 
have a prompter to prayer incessantly, and trust Him 
explicitly. 

264 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



Word of God: Its Power and Pene- 
tration. 

"Speak unto us smooth things" (Is. xxxtio). "The Lord shall 
cause His glorious voice to be heard" (Is. xxx:3o). 

A certain sermon was described under three heads. In 
the first place, it was said to be very moving. In the 
second place, it was very soothing. And in the third 
place, it was very satisfying. It was moving, inasmuch 
as one half the congregation left the church during its 
delivery. It was soothing, because the remaining half 
fell asleep. And it was satisfying, since they declared 
without a dissentient voice that they never wanted to hear 
that preacher again. 

It is a sorry thing when a Christian worker speaks 
"smooth things" (Isaiah xxxrio), for he is in bad com- 
pany (Psalm lv:2i; Proverbs v:3). 

The Word of God, while it is a comforter to the sorrowing 

(Ps. cxix:5o), never glosses things over. 
It is a sword to kill (Heb. iv:i2). 
A rapier to pierce (Heb. iv:i2). 
A knife to cut (Acts v:33). 
A fire to burn (Jer. xxiii:2o). 
A hammer to break (Jer. xxiii:29), 
A light to search (Ps. cxixnos). 
And a sieve to sift (Ps. cv:i9). 
*** ***** 

The Word of God is a two-edged sword. It wounds 
to heal, and kills to make alive. 

Word of God versus the laws of Men. 

"Thy testimonies are very sure" (Ps. xciiiis). 

"A friend of mine who is in a large way of business," 
says the City Press, "uses a large quantity of crude 
petroleum, and his carts are continually conveying it 

265 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

from the wharf where it is stored, to the factory where 
it is used. By the Petroleum Act, he is subjected to a 
heavy penalty, if he places a light within 20 ft. of the 
oil ; and under the new bye-laws of the London County 
Council, he is also liable to a fine, if a lamp is not on 
his wagons. What is he to do?" 

Man-made laws are always contradictory, but the law 
of the Lord, namely, His Word. 

Is perfect in its revelation (Ps. xix:7). 
Pure in its character (Ps. cxix:i4o), 
Powerful in its operation (Acts xix:2o). 
Permanent in its endurance (1 Pet. 1:23). 
Potent in its influence (Luke v:i). 
Pointed in its application (Heb. iv:i2). 
And protective in its indwelling (1 John 11:14). 

******** 
The sure Word of promise is a light to gladden and to 
guide. The harmony of the Word, harmonizes with all 
man's need. 



Worldliness. 

"'Be Ye Separate' 5 (2 Cor. vi:i7). 

A story is told of a gentleman who had a splendid 
singing canary. A friend wanted to see if he could teach 
his sparrows to sing by keeping the canary with them. 
He borrowed it, and placed it in the cage with the spar- 
rows. Instead, however, of teaching them to sing, the 
poor bird got so timid among the strange birds that it 
stopped singing altogether, and did nothing but chirp 
like the sparrows. The owner then took it back, but still 
it would not sing. It then occurred to him to put it be- 
side another canary which sang well. This had the 
desired effect, and, regaining the old note, it sang as well 



266 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



as ever. Many Christians go, like the canary, into the 
strange company of worldlings, and consequently they 
not only do not teach the world to sing their happy 
glorious note of praise, but they cannot sing the old songs 
of praise in a strange land themselves, and soon they 
learn the sorrowful note of the world. The best thing 
for such is to go back again into the more genial society 
of happy, rejoicing Christians, among whom they will 
soon learn to sing the glorious notes of praise again, 
making melody in their hearts. 

We see what contact with the world does in the follow- 
ing examples. 

Worldliness robbed Abram of communion and joy when he 

went down to Egypt (Gen. xii: 10-20). 
Worldiness vexed Lot and caused him to escape only with 

his life from Sodom (Gen. xix:i7; 2 Pet. ii:7). 
Worldiness emptied Naomi of her store and satisfaction 

(Ruth i:i2). 

Worldiness nearly cost Jehosaphat his life when he joined 
affinity with Ahab (1 Chron. xviiin, 31). 

Worldliness blighted and blasted the life of Demas (2 Tim. 
iv:io; Col. iv:i4). 

Worldliness tripped Peter up to his hurt and sorrow (Luke 
xxii : 54-62) . 

Worldliness cursed and damned Balaam (Jude ri; Num. 
xvi:i, etc.). 

* # * * * * * * 

If we resist the devil he will flee from us, but if we 
resist the world it will flee at us, therefore, ignore it. 



Works or The Work? 

"To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth 
the ungodly" (Rom. iv:5). 
"I have been trying to save myself for fifteen years." 
So said a young lady in telling how the Lord had met 
with her and saved her. How many there are who think 
they have to do something. 

267 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 

Man's religion is — 

"Something in my hands I bring." 

But God's religion is — > 

"Nothing in my hands I bring, 
Simply to Thy cross I cling." 

The first is like Cain, who brought to God the fruits of 
the earth — the fruit of his own toil — forgetting that the 
curse of God was resting upon it (Gen. iii 117 ; iv:3). 

The second is like Abel, who brought to God the God- 
appointed sacrifice, and thus was accepted of Him (Heb. 
xi:4), f° r it t°ld out the perfection of Christ's Person, 
and the completeness of His work (John xix:3o). 

The devil's gospel is — 

DO. 

But God's Gospel is, "It is 

DONE." 

The answer to the question, "What must I do to be saved?" 
was, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt 
be saved" (Acts xvi:3i). And Christ confirms this, 
for He says, "This is the work of God, that ye believt 
on Him whom He hath sent" (John vi:29). 

Gethsemane, Gabbatha, and Golgotha are a trinity of 
places where Christ suffered. Their agony, stripes, and 
gore, are the believer's joy, healing, and glory. 



Worries. 

"Be not anxious" (Matt. vi:2S, r. v.). 

A shocking tragedy occurred in the public park at 
Ipswich recently, Mr. W. H. Bond, manager for a well- 
known tent manufacturing firm, being found uncon- 
scious in a fir plantation, with a fatal bullet wound in 



268 



PEARLS, POINTS AND PARABLES. 



his head and a revolver by his side. The deceased was 
a prominent Nonconformist, being a deacon at a Congre- 
gational church. Stocktaking is said to have preyed 
upon his mind. He was accustomed to carry a revolver 
when looking round the firm's premises at night, and 
when cycling. Three children are left orphans by the sad 
occurrence. 

Another case of fatal worry is seen in the following: 
— A fatal leap of 50 ft. was taken by Mrs. Sarah Aylwin 
(aged sixty-seven) from the roof of her house, 48, Great 
Russell Street, London. At the inquest, her brother-in- 
law said, she "worried herself about trifles in household 
matters, and made mountains out of mole-hills. " 

God's people often worry themselves from one cause 
or another. 

The fog of doubt will make us worry as to our safety, as 
Peter did (Matt. xiv:3o). 

The burden of anxiety (Matt. vi:3i) will make us worry 
about the affairs of home, as Martha did (Luke x:4i). 

The spectre of fear will make us worry as to the future, 
and fill the heart with the dread of death (Heb. ii: 
14, 15). 

The chafing of fret will make us worry as to the prosperity 
of the wicked (Ps. xxxvii:7). 

The storm of trouble will make us worry about the persecu- 
tion of the wicked, unless the Lord is keeping the heart 
within (1 Pet iii:i4). 

The weeds of care will hinder the fruitfulness of the soul, 
as to its spiritual prosperity (Mark iv:i9). 

And the blight of discouragement* will cover the soul with 
black despair and murmuring, as it did to the children 
of Israel (Num. xxi 14, 5). 



When matters of care trouble you, make them matters 
of prayer to take to the Lord. 

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